| Tutorials What are the best settings to use for Internet Explorer to help block and prevent spyware infection?
Many security hazards await your computer in the wilds of the World Wide Web. Malicious websites have various ways to sneak into your computer and display annoying ads, quietly gather information about you and your online habits, or even plant spyware. If you surf the web using Internet Explorer, you have at your disposal several tools to help protect your computer from unwanted access.
Your first step in protecting your computer is finding Internet Explorer’s privacy and security settings:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click “Tools” on the menu bar at the top of thescreen.
- Click “Internet Options…” at the bottom of the“Tools” menu. The “Internet Options”window appears.
The first step in protecting yourself from the dangers of the internet is controlling how your computer deals with cookies. Cookies are small files that many websites place on your hard disk. Most cookies are harmless and actually make your web experience better. On the other hand, cookies set by questionable websites can gather personal information for unscrupulous companies. To protect yourself from cookies, do the following:
1. Click the “Privacy” tab at the top of the “Internet Options” window
The “Privacy” tab of the “Internet Options” window
2. Drag the slider on the left side of the window up to at least “Medium High.” As you move the slider up and down, the text to the right of the control changes to explain the meaning of the currently selected privacy setting. As you slide up, you tighten your computer’s restrictions on cookies.
3. When you are satisfied with the privacy level, click the “OK” button.
Note that some cookies are actually helpful. In fact, some web sites do not allow you to visit if your cookie restrictions are too tight. Visit your favorite sites after setting your privacy level to ensure that you can still view them normally.
Once you are satisfied with your privacy settings, move on to security settings to further protect yourself and your computer:
- Click the “Security” tab at the top of the “Internet Options” window.
The “Security” tab of the “Internet Options” window
- Click the “Internet” icon at the top of the window. The icons at the top represent categories of sites for which you may set security.
- Click the “Default Level” button at the bottom right of the window. A security level slider much like the one on the “Privacy” tab appears.
- Drag the slider on the left side of the window up to at least “Medium.” As you move the slider up and down, the text to the right of the control changes to explain the meaning of the currently selected security setting. As you slide up, you tighten your computer’s restrictions on acceptable content.
- When you are satisfied with the security level, click the “OK” button.
Remember that as you increase your security level, you risk not being able to access some web pages and features. After you set your security level, check your favorite web pages to make sure that they still function normally.
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