Web Browser Security

This article covers the update process for Web Browsers.

Faculty and Staff on Wharton-Managed Machines:

Your browsers should update automatically but it's still a good idea to follow the steps listed below.

Web Browsers

Healthy Computing requires regularly updating your computer, but we often forget to update our web browser(s). Since so much of computing now takes place in a web browser, it is considered one of the largest attack vectors for malware.

Most major browsers (e.g. Chrome, Edge, Safari, Firefox, and DuckDuckGo) are quick to fix vulnerabilities and auto-update, and all you need to do is restart your browser regularly! The Wharton Information Security Office recommends restarting your browser each day to allow any applicable updates to apply

Your open tabs should reappear or if not, you can restore the previous session from the “History” menu in your browser to pick up from where you left off while being up-to-date!

Updating your Browser

There are several ways to update your browsers. 

Restart (Updates Automatically)

A restart of your browser usually updates it immediately -- all you need to do is close all open instances of the browser, and restart. Your open tabs should reappear or, if not, you can restore the previous session from the “History” menu in your browser to pick up from where you left off.

Manual Update

You can also manually check your browsers for updates, although how you do it varies by Operating System:

  • macOS: click the application title in the top menu bar just to the right of the Apple logo, and select “About [Browser Name]” from the menu that appears

  • Windows: click “Help” in the top menu bar of the application, and select either “About [Browser Name]” or “Check for Updates” from the menu that appears.

Browser Resources and Recommendations

For more information on security options for major browsers, here are places to start:

These practices and recommendations also apply to other web browsers that may not be listed here.

Questions?

Contact your  Wharton Computing Representative or the Wharton Information Security Office for more information.