You probably don't think of a hacker getting into your information every time you go online. We think we are the "small fish" compared to those who really have money and power. Even if you don't order a lot items online, you still aren't considered safe. Some say over 90 percent of home computers get attacked with spyware or a dangerous virus, sometimes numerous times over the course of a year. This is a scary thought because it means personal information could be taken from you. Some could easily steal your identity. This is why more and more people are using web browsing security measures to protect their PC.

Most people don't realize a hacker looks at a web browser as a first source of entry. This is your PC's front door, and it isn't something you want to leave unlocked and available for anyone to enter. Basically, this gateway is the way people view your personal data.

Every time you go online, your computer sends requests to different web pages. Your browser asks questions all over the web, and it brings the data back to your computer for translation. If there isn't any web browsing security in place, this is the easiest way for a hacker to get onto your PC.

You need to have security measures in place that are much stronger than any attack. This is how you protect yourself from identity theft. However, it cannot be so rigid that you aren't capable of searching the Internet. The best web browsing security will stop any spyware from entering your browser and will prevent pop-ups. It seals up security holes and handles malicious file downloads and any malicious ActiveX programs trying to sneak into your files. The latter is the main way a hacker tries to steal data.

Source by John D. Garber