Allow Cookies by Site
SUMMARY: Allow specific websites to set cookies for personalization with Internet Explorer6

If you have Internet Explorer 6 set to reject all cookies due to privacy concerns, you may find it necessary for a certain site or two to be able to set cookies. This may be useful for logins or personalization. To enable a specific site to set cookies on your machine:

1. From Internet Explorer, choose "Tools" then "Internet Options".
2. From the "Internet Options" multi-tabbed dialog box that appears, select the "Privacy" tab.

3. Click the "Edit" button next to "To Override cookie handling for individual web sites".
4. Type in a domain and press the "Allow" button to allow that domain to set cookies on your machine.
5. Press "OK" and close both dialog boxes when done.

Always Keep Up-To-Date

SUMMARY: Why you should keep Internet Explorer up-to-date with the latest patches and security fixes.

It's very important that you keep your Internet Explorer browser up-to-date. When a new service pack or security patch is released, get it as soon as possible!

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Although you may normally restrict your browsing to websites that are almost always "safe", there are unfortunately those on the Internet that constantly try to come up with ways to exploit Internet Explorer security holes to cause damage. These people may place rogue code on innocent-looking webpages and try attracting people to visit such sites.

Do so with an un-patched version of Internet Explorer, and who knows what could happen? At best, perhaps your home page or search page may get changed without your knowledge. At worst, your browser may crash, your entire computer may crash, or your computer could get infected with a virus.

To find out what updates are available to your browser, open Internet Explorer, choose "Tools", then "Internet Update". Scan for updates and apply the latest browser and patch hot-fixes.

Note that if someone else manages your computer hardware and software (if you are using a computer at work, for example), be sure to contact your administrator before applying fixes. Also, while patches are normally safe to install, there is that minimal chance that a patch or hot-fix could cause problems to your machine. Always back up your important data before applying updates.

Automatically Empty Temporary Internet Files

To have the Internet Explorer automatically delete files in the Temporary Internet Files folder:
1. To go Tools / Internet Options
2. Click on the Advanced tab
3. Scroll down to the Security section
4. Check Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed.

INTERNET SECURITY

To survive in today’s highly competitive business environment, which is rapidly transmuting into a cyber village, businesses have to participate in the virtual world by using Internet for not only emailing and chatting but also to tap the vast e-commerce market. However, on one hand, Internet offers limitless opportunities for the entrepreneurs.

On the other hand, Internet security and risk management pose monumental challenges for the corporate world today. However, countermeasures can be and must be taken in order to address the issue. Before plunging into the sea of security issues that surround the use of Internet, let us first look into the commonly followed definition of the umbrella term Internet Security.

Defining Internet Security

Internet security as defined “is the practice of protecting and preserving private resources and information on the Internet” (Internet Security). Hence, Internet security is the fundamental to prevent breach of e-commerce clients’ trust and the resultant violation of privacy policies in order to avoid defamation of the companies’ hard earned corporate image. This leads us to the next section of our research assignment that discusses the scope of the issue under discussion.

Why Discuss Internet Security? Scope of the Problem

Information is exchanged via Internet use in the corporate world where people can communicate with each other and sell and buy products online using credit cards. Even confidential company data and many other secrets are shared via Internet. However, this paves way for security issues, which make the “circuitous route” of the information being exchanged prone to deception, unauthenticated interruption and other security risks.

On the same account, Internet security has transformed into a major concern for all Internet users (Definitions of Internet Security on the web). Therefore, Internet security issues and risk management tips need to be discussed and highlighted for the benefit of the readers and the users alike.

Security-related Risks Associated with Internet Use and Management Strategies

Internet doubtless ameliorates corporate communication, “information sharing, market effectiveness and productivity” (Paliouras). Nonetheless, Internet use has often resulted in “security breaches with known or unknown undesirable consequences ranging from a crippled or hacked corporate network to a ruined reputation and costly litigation”. Consequently, content of the emails must be filtered to prevent the above mentioned organizational issues. (Paliouras).

Risk Management via Content Filtering

“Klez worm” including other viruses that can seriously damage the computer system, “junk mail”, shopping online using Internet and visiting obscene sites at the organizational cost augment security risks (Paliouras).

These risks can be reduced by making sure that employees avoid using company Internet services for irrelevant tasks. However, emails are highly important for business communication and “content filtering” is the best solution to manage security risks. “Advanced text analysis is necessary to prevent users from sending sexually explicit text and racial epithets or sensitive information to unauthorized parties. Lexical analysis is one way to cut down leak of confidential information as most of these files include special words or phrases” (Paliouras). Moreover, “keyword searching and inspection” as well as “advanced image analysis” are some of the really effective weapons to reduce security risks associated with Internet use.

This is where the significance of information systems comes into play. With the aid of constructing appropriate systems and using adequate content filtering software, companies can block unnecessary and potentially harmful and insecure attachments from entering and infecting the computers.

A three-step approach inclusive of conceiving, constructing and consolidating been recommended by information systems companies in order to efficiently with security risks associated with the use of Internet (Internet security challenges). However, the extent to which Internet use is secured primarily depends upon the company’s “security awareness” (Katos).

When electronically operating firms believe in cherishing their clientele’s trust and therefore make every attempt to secure their operations via security checks, secured systems and well-planned security policies, security risks tremendously plummet and the firm’s reputation improves. Also, with security awareness, firms tend to be better equipped with latest advancements in the field of information systems.

Conclusion

Hence from the above discussion it is evident that Internet security and risk management pose monumental challenges for the corporate world today. However, countermeasures can be and must be taken in order to address the issue. Those computer organizations that take help and make the most out of Information Systems are the ones that benefit the most in the long run.

This is because Information systems offer a vast variety of security software, with the aid of which, organizations can reduce the risk of Internet use. Managing Internet security related risks is no long an out-of-this-word task if adequate knowledge and timely application of Information systems is made available. Therefore, to address Internet security issues, the basic knowledge of Information Systems Fundamentals is essential. Moreover, extensive research and progress is demanded in the field of information systems in order to create “new defense mechanisms”

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