Network Security Bible, 2nd Edition

Chapter 10. Web Browser and Client Security

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Exploring client risk from a Web browser

• Understanding Web browser operation

• Reviewing known Web browser attacks

• Operating a Web browser safely

• Understanding Web browser configurations

Web browsers provide the face—the convenience and productivity—of the Internet. The vast majority of Internet users spend all their time with two applications—the e-mail client and the Web browser. Web browsers provide everything that has made the Internet useful and productive for millions of people. With the new style of malicious code, attackers are using browsers to infect a system. Because browsers easily allow executable content to run on a local system, it is simple for malware to infect a local system.

Web Browser and Client Risk

In many ways, Web browsers are the ultimate in computer convenience. The Internet started out as an academic information exchange enabler. Then Web browsers made the Internet easy to use and allowed noncomputer-savvy companies and individuals to harness the power of information exchange and remote processing. Ever since the inception of the easy-to-use and pleasant-to-view Web browser, the Internet has taken off. In a few short years, it has landed in nearly every business and most homes throughout the United States.

The convenience, productivity, and popularity of Web browsers make them a prime target for hackers and would be attackers. As the convenience of a product increases, so does the security risk, so Web ...