Computer and internet briefs

Oct 16, 2011, 3:06 GMT

For secure connection, re-start the browser

Berlin (dpa) - Secure is secure and those who use an encoded internet connection (https://) for online banking or shopping should always call up the corresponding sites with a newly-started browser window. And during the secured session, users should not open any other websites in tabs or other windows.

That's the advice of the German Federal Office for Information Security. The background to this advice is a weak spot in the encoding protocols that currently allow hackers to get into users' systems.

The secured sessions should be kept as short as possible and finished by actively logging off and closing the browser. In addition, the officials advise users to deactivate Java plug-ins because usually the attacks occur through Java.

New Firefox version needs less memory

Berlin (dpa) - Mozilla has reduced the memory usage of Firefox by between 20 and 30 per cent so the browser's newest version, Firefox 7, is more efficient with RAM memory and works faster.

The increased speed can be noticed when opening new tabs, clicking on menu items as well as during lengthy surfing sessions with many tabs opened. Jointly with Firefox 7, Mozilla also introduced the new email program Thunderbird.

Use strict privacy settings with messenger programs

Berlin (dpa) - Those who do not want to be contacted or called by strangers during messenger or video chats should change their privacy settings. In Options, users can set it that only contacts from the contact list can come through and others will be blocked, the German Federal Office for Information Security advises.

This setting also protects users from intrusive advertising and scammers. At the moment, many messenger users are receiving automated calls in which they are ordered to activate or purchase a fake anti-virus program.