Browser Security Test – Find Security Gaps in Firefox or Internet Explorer

Browser – The Gateway to Internet

Browsers are like windows, through which your computer interacts with the outside world. It is the gateway, through which you can access the vast information available on the Internet.

But at the same time, they are also the pathways, through which malware can sneak into your computers. They can take the exploit the security holes in your browsers to infect your computer. For any robust PC Security plan, it is important to plug these browser security holes.

How to Plug Security Holes in Your Browsers

There is one simple trick, nothing complex. Just remember to update your browser with the latest release. Most of the browsers like Firefox and Google Chrome have an automatic software update feature and they notify you as soon as a new stable release version is available for download. You just have to listen to them and keep on updating.

Internet Explorer updates are released by Microsoft alongwith the Windows Updates. You just have to keep the Automatic Windows Update ON. But for some of the browsers like Opera, you might have to keep a eye yourself on the availability of the new release and download the new version afresh.

How to Test Your Browser Security

I just found one useful online Browser Security Test, which is absolutely free to use. Nothing complex, just head on to the website http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/index.php. It will identify your browser details. Click on the Start Security Test, and your browser will be grilled with some rigorous testing. This tool is available for both of the popular Internet browsers, Internet Explorer and Firefox.

What Browser Security Tests Does it Perform

It may not be making much sense to you, but if you are interested, following is the list of the security tests performed by it.

For Internet Explorer (Total 9 Tests)

1. Internet Explorer bait & switch race condition
2. Internet Explorer createTextRange arbitrary code execution
3. Windows MDAC ADODB ActiveX control invalid length
4. Adobe Flash Player video file parsing integer overflow
5. XMLDOM substringData() heap overflow
6. Apple QuickTime MOV file JVTCompEncodeFrame heap overflow
7. Apple QuickTime ‘QTPlugin.ocx’ ActiveX Control Multiple Buffer Overflows
8. Window location property cross-domain scripting
9. Internet Explorer XML nested SPAN elements memory corruption

For Firefox (Total 10 Tests)

1. Mozilla crashes with evidence of memory corruption
2. Mozilla crashes with evidence of memory corruption
3. Adobe Flash Player video file parsing integer overflow
4. Mozilla crashes with evidence of memory corruption
5. Apple QuickTime MOV file JVTCompEncodeFrame heap overflow
6. Mozilla code execution via QuickTime Media-link files
7. Mozilla crashes with evidence of memory corruption
8. Mozilla memory corruption vulnerabilities
9. Mozilla crashes with evidence of memory corruption
10. Mozilla Firefox MathML integer overflow

Remember, this is a bit old tool, and if you are running the current versions of Internet Explorer or Firefox, most likely your browsers will pass through these test. But still a useful eye-opening tool for those not in a habit of regular software updates.