Is Internet Explorer Security Really That Bad?
There is a lot of doom and gloom on the internet about how bad Internet Explorer security is. A lot of people blame it - and by extension - Microsoft for the necessity of virus and spyware protection that has hit systems connected to the internet in the last few years. Is it really as bad as they say?
Personally, I think the answer is yes and no. Doesn't really answer the question, does it? To explain a little better, I think the answer is yes because Internet Explorer security - and Outlook security - doesn't do enough to stop these kind of problems from spreading.
On the other hand, I think the answer is no because most people who use the internet don't take the time to learn a little about internet security and what they need to be careful of. There are some things that are really pretty simple to avoid that will go a long way towards protecting you on the internet.
Why is Internet Explorer so Open to Problems?
There are a couple of reasons for this. First, when Microsoft designed their internet browser, they did it in a way that would make it easier for people to add new functions to it. There are lots of beneficial things that can be added to Internet Explorer to give it new features.
Unfortunately, this same ease of use for adding features make it an easy target for "malware" such as viruses, spyware and adware. These things are all really just adding "features" to Internet Explorer. Unfortunately, these features are generally not features anybody would choose to add. They can cause the spread of viruses and cause your computer to slow down or not work properly.
The other reason Internet Explorer security (or lack thereof) is such a problem is because Windows is used so widely. With so many more people using Windows than other operating systems like Linux or Macintosh, it's a bigger payoff for the people who create these problems. Why write something that might affect 100,000 people when you could put in the same effort and affect millions?
How You Can Lower Your Risk
There are several ways to lower your risk from Internet Explorer security issues. First, if you're running Windows XP, make sure you are running Service Pack 3 (SP3). Microsoft has improved the security a lot with this update for Windows, and installing it will make a big difference to your vulnerability.
Click here to read more about Windows Update and installing SP2
Second, no matter what version of Windows you're running, check your internet security settings and make sure they are set up properly. To get to your Internet Explorer security settings, go to the TOOLS menu in Internet Explorer, then choose INTERNET OPTIONS.
When the Internet Options window opens, click on the SECURITY tab on the top row. Make sure "Internet" is highlighted in the "Web Content Zone" section and then click on the CUSTOM LEVEL button towards the bottom.
In the next window, the quickest and easiest way to increase your Internet Explorer security is to reset the custom settings to HIGH. The problem with this method is that you will find some websites don't work the way you expect, because this disables certain functions that a lot of sites use.
The better way to improve your Internet Explorer security is to change a few of the settings manually. You can scroll through this list, and look for the following items:
- Download Signed ActiveX controls: set this to PROMPT
- Download Unsigned ActiveX controls: set this to DISABLE
- Run ActiveX controls and plugins: set this to PROMPT
- Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe: set this to DISABLE
- Installation of desktop items: set this to PROMPT
- Launching programs and files in an IFRAME: set this to PROMPT
By setting these options, it will limit a lot of the things that can get installed as you surf. (Note that depending on the version of Windows and Internet Explorer you run, these options might not all show up.)
With some of the options set to prompt, you will be asked before they are allowed to run. If you're surfing the internet and are suddenly asked to confirm whether or not to allow an item, you need to use your better judgement.
If you're surfing on a well-known site, such as Microsoft or eBay, chances are pretty good that you are safe to install them. If you're surfing on an unknown site and don't really know how trustworthy it is, I would recommend not allowing anything to run.
What's This Firefox Program All About?
The third option to lower your risk is to use a different internet browser than Internet Explorer. You may have heard of Firefox. It has become a very popular alternative to Internet Explorer, in a large part because it is much less prone to some of these security attacks.
Without getting into a lot of technical detail, it basically doesn't support some of the features of Internet Explorer that are the most prone to security issues.
It works just as well as Internet Explorer and even has some extra features that are, in my opinion, much better than Microsoft's browser.
Click here to read more about Firefox and to install it for free
When you're connected to the internet, remember that there are a lot of security issues that can cause a lot of problems with your computer. By taking some of these simple steps, you'll go a long way towards keeping your computer running well. A little time spent now could save a lot of money in repair bills later!