For the friends and family of M.B., a page of links to online tests for web browsers
Revised 2011-06-08
BrowserSpy
Oodles of info about installed plug-ins, Java and JavaScript support, privacy leaks, etc.
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.
Microsoft Update
Whether you use Internet Explorer or not, keep its security patches up to date.
Browser Security Test, ScanIt
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
Downloads - Internet Cleanup Tools: CCleaner (on SnapFiles), more (on SnapFiles)
Downloads - Anti-virus Tools: Scan with Dr. Web browser plug-in
Downloads - Site Evaluators: Web of Trust, SiteAdvisor
Online Link Scanners: AVG SiteReports, Norton Safe Web, SiteAdvisor (site rating), Web of Trust (site rating)
DNS: Norton DNS, ClearCloud
Quick and Dirty One-Port Test
Courtesy of Shields Up (grc.com)
Home Computer Security
A substantial pamphlet and tutorials by CERT.
Privacy and Security Page
Everything else.
Bandwidth Place (kb/s)
Easy!
DSLReports
Medium. Go to Tools | Speed Tests.
Speakeasy Speed Test (kb/s)
Speedtest.net (Mb/s)
Webspeed
Tests, links, info.
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."
Secunia Personal Software Inspector (PSI)
Downloadable program. PSI will search your system for dangerously obsolete versions of Java. PSI: it's good; it's free; why not install it and run it weekly? (Update programs in the ordinary way, not through PSI.)
Updating:
In Vista, if you try to disable Java's automatic updating but the setting won't stick, try this. Find the Java control panel javacpl.exe here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\javacpl.exe
or here:
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\javacpl.exe
Right-click that file. Select "Run as administrator." Disable automatic updating. Save.
32-bit or 64-bit? Install the 64-bit JRE to have Java in a 64-bit browser. Install the 32-bit JRE to have Java in a 32-bit browser whether or not your operating system is 64-bit.
Which version?
JavaScript Information, by BrowserSpy
Privacy, security, pop-up problems?
Browser Security Tests, by Jason's Toolbox.
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: Uninstall 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.
BetterPrivacy or Objection
Firefox extension. Deletes Flash Local Shared Objects, a.k.a. Flash cookies.
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.
WinPatrol
Downloadable program. Lists ActiveX controls and alerts when a new one is added, among other things. WinPatrol: it's good; it's free; get it.
Pop-up Killer Review
Test your pop-up killer or your browser's ability to block pop-ups.
Current versions of Opera, Firefox, and Internet Explorer have phishing protection built in.
Mozilla's "It's a Trap" phish filter test
Secunia Online Software Inspector (requires Java)
WittyLink
Create short URLs
Search Microsoft
Search Microsoft-related sites using Google.
Tech Support Alert
Tech support portal.
WinFind - the Windows Tips Search Engine
Searches Annoyances.org, LangaList, Lockergnome, Tom's Hardware, etc.