Bolster your browser’s security
Protect yourself from pop–ups, plug–ins and cookies…
Safari, MacoS’S bUilt–in web browser, incorporates a range of security protections that are enabled by default. In Safari > Preferences > Security, “Warn when visiting a fraudulent website” checks every address you visit against the large Google Safe Browsing database, and warns you if it’s known to host malware or phishing attacks, whether because the site itself is dodgy or it’s been hacked.
But wait — that means someone’s recording what sites you visit! Well done if you spotted this threat, but Safari actually hashes the addresses before sending them to Google, so using this service doesn’t leak your browsing history.
Also under Security are options to enable JavaScript and block pop–up windows. Turning off JavaScript will break most modern websites, so don’t do that. Pop–up windows are sometimes used to display fake alerts to trick you into clicking malicious links, which can’t immediately do any harm on a Mac but are best avoided. Keep them blocked unless a site you need to use advises you to enable pop–ups: this may be the case with online exams or job applications.
In Safari > Safari Extensions, you can install add–ons vetted by Apple, which can then be managed in Safari > Preferences > Extensions. These should be safe, but you’ll need to consider the privacy implications of third–party services that store or sync your personal data.
Plug–ins from other sources may be less trustworthy, and are managed in Safari > Preferences > Websites. Here you can also set whether individual websites can access your Mac’s camera, microphone, or location. Make sure “When visiting other websites” is set to Deny or Ask, not Allow.
cookie control
In Safari > Preferences > Privacy, “Prevent cross–site tracking” should be checked: it defeats sneaky Like buttons that tell sites like Facebook which pages you visit even if you don’t click them. Here you can also opt to block all cookies, but that would mean some sites don’t work and others forget your preferences. Click Manage Website Data to control cookies per website, or use Remove All to start again.
If you use another browser, such as Chrome or Firefox, similar security settings will be found in its preferences. Keep your browser apps updated so that any new security protections are installed.