Browser Toolkit

BROWSER TOOLKIT

For the friends and family of M.B., a page of links to online tests for web browsers

Revised 2008-03-09

GENERAL :: SAFETY :: SPEED :: JAVA/JSCRIPT :: BHOs :: HIJACKERS :: POPUPS :: SUPPORT

General

BrowserSpy
Oodles of info about installed plug-ins, Java and JavaScript support, privacy leaks, etc.

BrowserTune
Myriad tests.

Browser Security and Privacy

SSL Encryption Report, by Fortify.net
Easy. Quick. High priority. Checks the strength of the crypto in your browser. Yours should be top-notch.

Browser Security Tests, Jason's Toolbox
Easy, with pithy explanations. Feedback about your browser's settings regarding JavaScript, an ActiveX vulnerability, and third-party cookies.

BrowserSpy
Easy. Low priority. A privacy analysis, with links to further information in every category. Or get a one-page summary from Privacy Analysis of Your Internet Connection, which shows "some information that is collected about you when visiting a web site." But don't get your knickers in a knot about it.

Windows Update or Microsoft Update
Whether you use Internet Explorer or not, keep its security patches up to date.

Browser Security Test, ScanIt
Review, The Register, 2003.
Note, Support Alert, June 2004.

Check whether your browser is sending referrer info: http://gemal.dk/browserspy/headers.php (look for a "REFERRER" header), or http://finma.com/atguardtools.php3, or http://www.junkbusters.com/cgi-bin/privacy.

Downloads - Internet Cleanup Tools: CCleaner (on SnapFiles), more (on SnapFiles)

Downloads - Anti-virus Tools: Scan with Dr. Web browser plug-in

Downloads - Site Evaluator: SiteAdvisor

Network Security Analysis

PC Flank

Shields Up

Quick and Dirty One-Port Test
Courtesy of Shields Up (grc.com)

Network Security Info

Home Computer Security
A substantial pamphlet and tutorials by CERT.

Privacy and Security Page
Everything else.

Connection Speed

Bandwidth Place
Easy!

DSLReports
Medium. Go to Tools | Speed Tests.

Speakeasy Speed Test

Webspeed
Tests, links, info.

Java

Java Tester
Easy. "Is your web browser Java enabled? If so, what version of Java is it using? How to install and upgrade Java. Configuring the Java options in your web browser."

Google - troubleshoot Java

Google - enable Java

JavaScript

Which version?
JavaScript Information, by BrowserSpy

Privacy, security, pop-up problems?
Browser Security Tests, by Jason's Toolbox.

Troubleshooting
BrowserTune

Flash Player

Which version is installed? What's the latest?
Visit that link twice, once in Internet Explorer and again in any other browser you have installed. With Mozilla and Firefox, you may type about:plugins in the address bar.

Flash Settings Manager
Alternatively, right-click any Flash video.

Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)
Downloadable program. Optional. Your computer can have several versions of Flash installed, some of which may have security vulnerabilities. To see, install and run PSI. In Settings, disable Show only "Easy-to-Patch" programs. Keep only the latest version of Flash — for security.

Adobe TechNote: How to remove the Macromedia Flash Player ActiveX control
The Flash Player ActiveX control is Flash for Internet Explorer

MozillaZine Knowledgebase: Flash
How to remove the Flash plug-in, that is, Flash for Firefox/Mozilla/Netscape/Opera

CCleaner
Downloadable program. Optional. CCleaner will delete Flash's app data if you wish. Get the slim version.

Browser Helper Objects

WinPatrol
Downloadable program. Lists BHOs and alerts when a new BHO is added, among other things. WinPatrol: it's good; it's free; get it.

ActiveX

Active XCavator
Freeware. Downloadable program. "Internet Explorer can automatically download and install ActiveX controls onto your system. Active XCavator tells you what controls have been installed, and enables you to easily remove them."

PC Pitstop's ActiveX tester

Spyware, Scumware,
Browser Hijackers, Data Miners, Etc.

Doxdesk
Quick scanner. Library of info on pests. May require Internet Explorer. (Doxdesk is often overwhelmed with traffic.)

Search PestPatrol's Library
This link requires that JavaScript be enabled in your browser. CA's Security Advisor has a decent Pest Encyclopedia. Look up your pest's name (e.g., Cool Web Search, GoHip) or perhaps a port number (e.g., 445).