Author: Michael Bloch

An important issue raised at a recent 'black hat' conference was the security threat posed by the popular browser "autocomplete" feature - where users can have sensitive information stored in their browser cache in order to speed up completion of forms.

While we can't control our users browser settings physically, we can prevent this feature working at the form level on our own sites.

The problem with the autocomplete feature is that it is very insecure - there are widely available free tools for grabbing that information from a users' system. I won't mention the name of the tools for lifting stored AutoComplete data for obvious reasons.

While the autocomplete function is easily switched off by the user, many people still use this method for storing sensitive information; either because they don't know how to switch it off, or they just don't understand the risks.

As a site owner, you can help protect users from themselves by adding a simple tag to your forms.

For example; a form field such as:

< input type="text" name="email" >

with the addition of autocomplete= " off " like so:

< input type="text" name="email" autocomplete= " off " >

..will prevent both Firefox and Internet Explorer from caching the information, even if the AutoComplete feature is enabled in the user's browser.

In case you don't know how to switch off autocomplete in your own browser:

Internet Explorer

- Tools/Options
- Content Tab
- AutoComplete (click settings)

To delete any information that was already stored in AutoComplete, under Tools/options, click the general tab, then the "delete" button under browsing history. You'll then see options for clearing form data and passwords.

Firefox

- Tools/Options
- Privacy

Select the "Saved forms" tab and untick the "save information I etc. etc." box. Be sure to clear any stored information by clicking "clear saved" button.

Then click on the "passwords" tab and disable that function; be sure to click the "view saved passwords" and clear all those too.

About the Author:
Michael Bloch has been working the web as a successful marketing and development consultant since the late 90's. Michael owns and operates TamingTheBeast.net; a popular Internet marketing and ecommerce resources site providing online business owners and affiliate marketers with valuable free advice, articles, tutorials and tools. "