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The launch to address issues of security and safety on the net while surfing
In Kenya, many people rely on public places like internet cafes, libraries and schools to access the internet, check e-mail, and even do a little shopping or banking.
“While this is a great way to ensure that you can access the Internet without having a computer in your house, it does open you up to a security minefield that you need to be aware of, particularly if you’re using a computer that hundreds of other people also have access to,” says Emmanuel Birech, Developer & Platform Manager. Unfortunately, the way the internet works is that it leaves little “signs” and “trails” all over the World Wide Web when you surf websites and log into your secure accounts (like Facebook, online shopping sites or even your online bank account).
Some of this information is stored on the computer and can be accessed by someone who has a relatively good understanding of computers and where to find these little “cookie crumbs”. So, if you’re not careful about cleaning off all the traces that you left behind on a public computer, it’s possible that someone else could have access to your most personal information like credit card numbers, bank account details or passwords,” Birech points out.
Luckily, he however says companies like Microsoft are working hard to ensure that you can surf the internet on public computers without worrying about having your personal details stolen when you leave. Internet Explorer 8, which was recently released, is the latest version of Microsoft’s popular internet browsing software and has been designed specifically to make online experience more secure.
Verviant Consulting is an ICT company based in Nairobi, which has been operating for three years, delivering internet and other computer services to the local community and customers in the first world markets. During this time, Agosta Liko, the CEO of Verviant Consulting, has used a number of applications as the default Internet Browser on his company’s public computers.
“When Internet Explorer 8 was released, I simply had to install it and find out what all the fuss was about. And my customers and I were very pleased,” says Mr Liko.
A feature called InPrivate, gives you the ability to surf the Internet in virtual anonymity, preventing the computer from permanently recording your browsing history, and storing temporary Internet files and little tracking files called cookies. InPrivate is also a lot more powerful, giving users the ability to filter content coming from third parties, which may give them information about your surfing habits.
Users have full control over what can and can’t track their activities, so it gives you peace of mind that you know exactly what is happening with your personal information. “Internet Explorer 8 has a host of other security technologies that will also ensure that your personal surfing habits and identity information are secure – especially in places where lots of people share public computers,” Mr Birech says.
The launch of this browse engine comes at a time when Microsoft is introducing internet security mechanism to ensure safety on the net, especially for children. Microsoft East and Southern Africa, is partnering with Non Governmental Organisations and governments in an initiative to enhance child protection through ICT in a program titled ‘The Child Internet Safety and Security Awareness Program’ (CISSA).
This program aims at increasing awareness levels on the use of ICT by children and identifying emerging problems and challenges facing children in this environment. It will furthermore seek to implement initiatives and interventions that will address these challenges and ultimately create a safer environment for children within cyberspace.
Social networking sites such as ‘Facebook’ ‘MySpace’ and ‘tweeter’, are extremely popular networking sites on the internet and children can interact and engage with people of all ages from any part of the world without any supervision. Through these sites, children share personal information about themselves thereby making themselves easy targets by predators.
At the same time Microsoft is aggressively addressing Data and net security which are becoming more and more important. In the age of the communication society, the volume and importance of information traffic are constantly increasing.
An ever-growing proportion of the activities of public authorities, military agencies or commercial businesses is represented or supported by information. Consequently, the ability to assess, decide and act depends increasingly on the availability of reliable net security systems to ensure secure communication. “Given the high value that information can represent these days, the supplier of information security and net security systems takes on great responsibility. As a partner, he must enjoy the user's trust”, says Roger Halbheer, Chief Security Advisor, Microsoft, Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Internet Explorer 8 is included in the latest version of Windows 7 and is also available for free download from the Microsoft website
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