Make Internet Explorer Safer- Configure the Security Settings

PC users who employ Internet Explorer 6 as an Internet browser should seriously consider strengthening the security settings, especially the ones concerning ActiveX and scripting. This is of particular concern to those still using Windows 98/Me, who will not receive the improved safety of newer versions of Internet Explorer.

Recommendations for Internet Zone

The Internet zone is where sites not specifically placed elsewhere are placed. Thus, the settings for this zone control most of the sites that you will go to on the Internet. Please be aware that increased security has a cost and that the settings given here will cause some sites to stop working properly. In particular, ActiveX and scripting have been disabled. Sites using these technologies will be crippled. This keeps the bad guys out but may interfere with one of your favorite sites. If a site is safe and is one that you use frequently , place it in the Trusted site zone, where ActiveX and scripting are enabled. Instructions on how to do that are on this page.

There are quite a few settings and the particular recommendations given in the table below are but one of many possible combinations. The recommended settings can be modified to suit a PC user's particular pattern of surfing. Thus, you may wish to experiment to find a combination best for your own purposes. For example, many pages use scripts and you may wish to allow that. Also, it is a common practice for pages to use META REFRESH for redirection. It is also used by bad sites to trap your browser. I have left it enabled but you may wish to disable it.

The recommended settings below may not suit everybody and may even be irritating to some. Therefore, do not undertake to change anything on your computer unless you know how to get back to where you started.

Settings for Internet security zone in Internet Explorer 6
(Red background indicates settings found only in Windows XP SP2)