Web Browser Basics

 

Web Browsers

Website Navigation Features

1.       Link to home page-the logo is also a hyperlink to the website's home page.

2.       Navigation bar- websites have a group of links that take you to pages of the website. This is usually called the navigation bar.

3.       Sign up/login- create an account to access certain features.

4.       Chat with a representative-option to open a chat window.

Common Browser Features

1.       Address Bar-This is where you can type the address for the website you want to visit. Another name for a web address is Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

2.       Hyperlinks-On a web page, if you hover your cursor over certain words or images, the white arrow turns into a pointed finger.

3.       Navigation buttons- left arrow (back button), right button (forward button)

4.       Browser history- list of all the web pages you've previously visited.

5.       Private browsing-open a window in incognito mode. This is also called private browsing.

6.       Browser Settings-To change the Chrome startup options and other settings, click the Chrome menu in the upper right-hand corner of the browser and select Settings.

7.       Search Engines-Search engines are tools that gather relevant websites from around the internet and show them to you in a list.

§  Use quote marks (" ") - Placing double quote marks around the phrase, tells the browser to look for an exact match.
Example: "TestOut catalog.”

§  Use a hyphen (-) - Placing a hyphen at the beginning of a word will show only results that don't include the word following the hyphen.
Example: recipes cookies -chocolate.

§  Use a plus (+) - Placing a plus at the beginning of a word will show only results that include the word following the plus.
Example: recipes cookies +chocolate.

§  Use an asterisk (*) - The asterisk indicates a wild card and can be used in many ways.
Example: Entering flying * shows results such as flying magazine, flying dog, and flying plane.

§  Use OR - Using OR (all caps) shows results with either or both words surrounding the OR. Some browsers also use the pipe (|) to perform the same function.
Example: Chocolate OR Vanilla

§  Uses search operators (fields) - If the browser supports it, such as with Google Chrome, you can use search operators to find words in special places, such as the URL or title.
Examples: inurl -Ford (Finds results with Ford in the URL, such as www.ford.com.)
Google Chrome supports the following types of advanced operators:

§  inurl - The search results show documents with the word contained in the URL of the web site.

§  intitle- The search results are restricted to web pages containing a specific keyword in the title.

§  Advanced search page - Many browsers have an advanced search page that can be used if you can't or don't want to use the above syntax manually. For example, if you go to https://www.google.com, you will see a Settings link in the lower right corner. To access the advanced search page, select Settings and then select Advanced search.

8.       Bookmarks-To find a specific website more quickly in the future, you can add a bookmark.

9.       Extensions/Add-ons-Most browsers let you extend or add features to the browser. These added features are called extensions, add-ons, and themes.

Browser Security and Troubleshooting Features

1.       Cookies-Cookies store data for specific websites. Cookies:

§  Can contain information about your browsing habits, preferences, email account, and favorite sites.

§  Can be saved on your computer for any length of time, sometimes for as long as the browser is open or even after you close it.

§  Contain personal information that an attacker uses.

§  Have security settings for storage on your computer.

2.       Browser extensions-Plugins and other browser extensions, such as the Adobe Flash Player, can be installed to enhance the appearance and functionality of websites.

3.       Client-side scripting-To determine whether a website is using this safer protocol, look for the padlock symbol in the address bar. This indicates that the site is using a valid digital certificate.

4.       Caching-The browser cache is the storage location for images, sounds, web pages, and other information associated with a website.

5.       Proxy Servers-A proxy server is a device that stands as an intermediary between an application such as a web browser and the internet.

§  Acts as a firewall. It intercepts all requests and uses filter rules to allow or deny internet traffic.

§  Can improve performance on frequently used websites. It can also be used to prevent access to specific websites.

§  Provides an extra layer of security by shielding the network users IP addresses behind the proxy server's IP address. This creates online anonymity for the network users.

§  May require the IP address and port of the proxy server configured on the client's browser. Some proxy servers work without the client software configuration.

6.       Pop-up Blockers-It prevents pop-up windows (such as advertisements) from being displayed. Web browsers often block pop-up windows to protect you from malware.

7.       Safe Browsers-Whatever web browser you decide to use, make sure you're using the latest version.

8.       Browser Restart-When a web browser becomes unresponsive or slow, the problem can often be fixed by closing the browser and then opening it up again. This clears the computer's memory and lets you start with fresh content.

9.       Computer Restart-Restarting turns the computer off, then on again.

Proxy Servers- a proxy server as a gateway between you and the internet. It's a middle ground that provides extra security, privacy, and protection for the end user.

They have their own IP address, like a post office that collects mail and sorts it before it's sent out to its destination. The same line of thinking applies to visiting a website with a proxy server— it makes the website request on your behalf.

There are a few different categories of proxy servers:

Transparent Proxy Servers: This kind of server tells websites that it is in fact a proxy server and passes along your IP address so that your identity and location are known. These are easy to set up and are often used on public computers, such as those at libraries and schools.

Anonymous Proxy Servers: This kind of server tells websites that it is in fact a proxy server, but it doesn't pass along your IP address. This means that you remain private and helps you avoid being given content such as location-specific advertisements.

Distorting Proxy Servers: This kind of server tells websites that it is in fact a proxy server, but then passes along a false IP address. This means that you appear to be in a different place than where you are.

High-Anonymity Proxy Servers: These proxy servers periodically change the IP address they give out, making it the most secure and difficult to track of all the different types.

One thing that a proxy server can do is change your IP address before it contacts the website. This masks where you are in the world and provides you with a layer of privacy as you conduct your business on the internet. A good proxy service can also help improve network performance. The proxy server does this by creating a cached version of websites that you visit often. Companies can also use proxy servers to set up a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN is a direct connection to the company's network that can be accessed by remote users.

Firewalls and Filtering

A firewall is a network security device (either hardware or software) that monitors all incoming and outgoing traffic and decides whether to allow it based on certain security rules. Companies also use proxy servers to monitor employees' web activity by logging all the web addresses an employee visits. a proxy server can be used to access resources that would otherwise be blocked.