6.4 Securing Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer can also help keep pop-ups and spyware off your computer.\

First make sure that you have the latest version of Internet Explorer as well as any patches and updates.

Next access the Security Zones, open Internet Explorer, choose Tools from the menu, select Internet Options, and click the Security tab.

Security Zones

Internet Explorer has four security zones, each of which can provide custom protection for you to surf the Internet more securely.

• Internet zone - The Internet zone is the default zone for all sites not listed in other zones.

• Local Intranet – Your Local Intranet is for local files or those coming from local networks.

• Trusted Sites zone – You can use the Trusted Sites zone for sites you visit frequently which require the ability to download files or play Flash animations.

• Restricted Sites zone – This is the zone that can suppress pop-up advertising, minimize cookies, and restrict the actions allowed by listed sites.

Each of the listed security zones can be configured to either a Custom Level or Default Level. All sites not listed elsewhere will default to the Internet Zone

Quick and easy

Changing the Internet Zone to High will make your computer more secure. To access the Security Zones, open Internet Explorer, choose Tools from the menu, select Internet Options, and click the Security tab. Make sure Internet is highlighted, click the Default button and move the slide bar to High.

Sites you trust can be added to the Trusted Sites zone. Using the same method described above, set the security settings for the Trusted Sites zone to Medium or Low.

To add sites to the Trusted sites zone, simply make sure you have highlighted the desired zone, then click the Sites button.

In the dialog box, type in (or copy and paste since some of the URLs are awfully long!) that site's URL and click Add. To remove a site from the list, highlight it and choose Remove.

You can also customize your level of security by using the Trusted, Restricted, and Internet zones.

Internet Zone

To set Internet Zone to Default Level (Medium), make sure Internet is highlighted and click the Default button. The slide bar should show that the security zone is now set to Medium. If not, slide the bar to Medium. This setting is usually a compromise between security and browsing comfort. It does not suppress pop-ups but it does stop unsafe ActiveX controls and active scripting.

After you do this, surf the net as you normally do for a day or so to see if your settings have adversely affected any of the sites you frequently visit. If one of your sites doesn’t function normally, make a note of the URL so you can add it to the Trusted Sites zone.

Also, write down the URLs of sites that have a lot of pop-ups or other annoying active content. You can add these sites to the Restricted Sites if you wish.

When you have a list of sites to put on the Restricted and Trusted sites, you can start putting them in.

Trusted Sites Zone - Highlight Trusted Sites and select the Default Level, ensuring the slide bar is set to Low, or you can customize the settings by choosing Custom Level and making your selection.

Restricted Sites Zone - Highlight Restricted Sites and select the Default Level, setting the slide bar to High. You can also customize the settings by choosing Custom Level. For the most safety and suppression of pop-ups, disable active scripting for the Restricted Sites zone.

You can add sites to these zones at any time, just by highlighting the zone you want, clicking the Sites button, putting it in the dialogue box and clicking “Add.” Removing is even easier, just highlighting the URS and clicking “Remove.”

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