Safe Browser in Internet Security programs.

Discussion in 'other anti-malware software' started by kes32, Nov 10, 2020.

  1. kes32

    kes32 Registered Member

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    First, apologies for asking for basic information but I really am quite inexperienced in this area.
    I do quite a lot of international online banking. I have tried a few internet security programs and there is one aspect I do not understand. Some programs such as Kaspersky which I am currently using and F-Secure and Bit Defender are other which have a 'Safe Browser' for banking etc.
    Other programs appear to use your default browser for banking, Trend Micro for example. Is there an advantage in using one that has a separate Safe Browser to others which use your default browser. I can recall some time ago reading an article which suggested that the Safe Browser was just a 'cosmetic' selling point.
    Would welcome any advice/recommendations. Thanks for looking.
     
  2. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    It would have helped if you said what OS you are using. And frankly, most banking these days are done over smart phones, do I am taking a leap just by assuming you are talking about banking with your computer.

    IMO, any of the popular browsers (Edge, FireFox, Chrome, Pale Moon, Safari) are just fine AS LONG AS you keep Windows 10 and your security program current, and you are not "click-happy" on unsolicited downloads, attachments, popups and links. Also, make sure you initiate the link to your bank using its normal URL and you get the secure link (padlock) indication the browser's address bar. Do NOT ever, as in NEVER EVER visit your bank by clicking on a link from an email - regardless how legitimate it looks.
     
  3. kes32

    kes32 Registered Member

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    Thanks but you response doesn't answer my query about Safe Browsers or Safe Zone on the internet security programs I have mentioned. Yes I do use my pc for banking.
     
  4. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    Bitdefender Safepay offers the following features:

    • It blocks access to your desktop and any attempt to take snapshots of your screen.

    • It protects your secret passwords while browsing online with Password Manager.

    • It comes with a virtual keyboard which, when used, makes it impossible for hackers to read your keystrokes.

    • It is completely independent from your other browsers.

    • It comes with built-in hotspot protection to be used when your computer is connected to unsecured Wi-fi networks.

    • It supports bookmarks and allows you to navigate between your favorite banking/shopping sites.

    • It is not limited to banking. Any website can be opened in Bitdefender Safepay.
     
  5. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    I did, just not directly.

    To answer your question, you don't need them. Do they work? Probably. But if the threats are already being blocked by your regular browser as well as your primary security and Windows itself (which you still have not told us which version you are using :(), running yet another program on your system to block those threats which have already been blocked is just wasting your system resources (RAM and CPU cycles, and perhaps disk space).
     
  6. wat0114

    wat0114 Registered Member

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    @kes32

    I can't specifically answer your question, but I can suggest anyone can use one browser dedicated for banking purposes only, and it will not involve 3rd-party security, additional system resources or additional required hdisk space. For example, you could take microsoft edge or chrome browser, under Settings-> Site permissions->JavaScrit: disable Allow. This will block ALL javascript by default. Then add the bank urls you require under Allow. An example is in the attached screenshots. This will ensure that there is no way javascript will function if for some reason (probably highly unlikely) you are re-directed to a malicious site.

    This is just one example of "browser hardening", making the browser more resistant to attacks.

    edge_javascript1.PNG

    edge_javascript2.PNG
     
  7. kes32

    kes32 Registered Member

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    Tks . My operating system is latest version Windows 10 running on PC and I have Google Chrome set as default browser but browse on Firefox. I have a trial version of Kaspersky installed which will run out in 10 days. I wasn't looking to add anything more than probably another internet security program so my PC for banking. You will have to excuse my lack of appreciation for understanding some of the technical descriptions and terms used on website, I am 88 years old and can't take things in as well as I did some years ago.
     
  8. kes32

    kes32 Registered Member

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    Tks for that information. I did have Bitdefender some time ago but switched away from it because I experienced some problems with my internet connection when using it which I did not understand the reason for and a couple of payment transactions did not go through .
     
  9. Bill_Bright

    Bill_Bright Registered Member

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    No problem. All is good.

    And you certainly are right to be concerned about security - but just keeping Windows current is a HUGE step in keeping you secure. And the fact you are asking about security is a clear indication you are not haphazard about it.

    For the record, I use Microsoft Defender (formally Windows Defender) with my Windows 10 systems as my primary security program and I do all my banking on this computer. I also use Microsoft Edge as my primary browser, then Chrome and Pale Moon (a forked version of Firefox) as secondary browsers. Last I use Malwarebytes as my secondary scanner just to make sure I (as the user and always weakest link in security) didn't let something slip by. I have been using that setup since day 1 with W10 in 2015 on all my computers (there currently are 5 in this house) and none have been compromised by malware. I have no hesitation to recommend that same setup. And note regardless your primary scanner, everyone should have a secondary "on-demand" scanner on hand for double-checking.

    What is nice about Microsoft Defender and Edge is they are already built into Windows 10. That means they stay current right along Windows. Don't let anyone try to tell you Microsoft Defender isn't good enough. It certainly is. Some will point to laboratory testing scores to show how good or how bad one program is over another. Despite how those tests are marketed, they are synthetic and not real world. Yet the 3rd party scanners are coded to score well in those tests so they can claim the results in their marketing hype.

    Microsoft codes Microsoft Defender to do well in the real-world. And it does or else there would be millions of infected systems out there, and there just isn't. Remember, the 3rd party makers want you to buy their premium versions. Microsoft just wants you to be safe since they have no financial incentive here, except to avoid bad publicity.

    I like to say we don't need to drive around in an Abrams Tank to be safe. We just need a recent model car that is properly maintained and most importantly, we need to drive defensively.

    I am not pushing Microsoft Defender - I am just saying it is fully capable of protecting you AS LONG AS you keep it and Windows current and you avoid risky behavior like being "click-happy" on unsolicited links, downloads, attachments and popups. The exact same precautions we must take regardless our primary scanner of choice. Plus its free. Free is good.

    That said, if you prefer Kaspersky or another capable solution, that certainly is fine. Just use one and keep it current.
     
  10. kes32

    kes32 Registered Member

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    Many thanks for understanding and for the information, informative and I have already made some of the changes.
     
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