Your browser's security settings tell you whether the browser warns you about potential security risks, such as sending information through Web page forms, and downloading files.

In Netscape Navigator 2.x or 3.x, the security settings are available through the Security Preferences item on the Options menu. The Passwords tab lets you password protect your security certificates.

In Netscape Communicator, the security settings are available by clicking the security button in the toolbar.

In Microsoft Internet Explorer, click the View menu, then click Internet Options, then click the Advanced tab. Scroll down to Security, and make sure that Warn if changing between secure and not secure mode is checked.

Also, with Explorer, you can assign Web sites to different "zones" depending on whether you trust them or not. By default, all Internet sites are in the Internet zone, meaning that you will be warned before you download anything from them. You could assign a Web site you trusted to the Trusted sites zone, and you will not be warned before you download potentially damaging content from that site. Internet Explorer will not download anything from a site assigned to the Restricted sites zone. To assign a Web site to a different zone, click the Security tab in the Internet Options window.

The Content tab in Internet Explorer 4.0 will show you the certificate signers that Internet Explorer trusts.

What is a digital certificate?
How do I tell if I have a secure connection?

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