Internet Explorer Browser Security Tips

Internet Explorer Browser Security Tips

Don't become the next Internet victim!

From lurking spyware to sophisticated hackers, you need to build a line of defense to help ensure safe Internet browsing. Consider the following tips to establish your safe browsing plan with Internet Explorer.

1. Use Internet Explorer's private browsing mode. Not only will this feature leave no traces of your browsing history, but it is also useful when checking your email on any other device besides your own because no cookies are recorded.

Quick How-to: Press Ctrl + Shift + P all at the same time to enable this mode.

Use Internet Explorer's private browsing mode.


2. Select the appropriate security zone on Internet Explorer. All websites start out in the "Internet zone," and it is recommended to apply the "high" security setting, disabling ActiveX, Active scripting and Java, making IE more secure.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Security Tab → Custom Level → Click Default Level and drag slider to "High"

Select the appropriate security zone on Internet Explorer.



3. If needed, manually disable ActiveX controls. Decide on a site-by-site basis whether you should enable or disable these controls. Cybercriminals have developed their own ActiveX controls to damage your computer, if you visit a web page that contains malicious ActiveX software.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Security Tab → Custom Level → Disable the "Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins."

If needed, manually disable ActiveX controls.



4. Add "trusted site zone" to IE for all sites that you deem safe. If you think a site has proper security without malicious content, issue it the "trusted site zone" tag. It is recommended to set the security level for "trusted site zones" to "medium-high."

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Security Tab → Click "Sites" button → Slide bar to "medium-high" position.

Add


*Note: Remember, you can always add or remove sites from this zone as well as require that only verified sites (HTTPS) be included in this zone.


5. Unless you're supporting the Girl Scouts, block cookies. Cookies can contain any data that a website wants to store and is often used to track your computer as you move through a website, storing your preferences and credentials.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Select Privacy Tab → Click the "Settings" button →

The following screen will appear after you click the "Settings" button. Under "Blocking "Level" set it to "High: Block all pop-ups"

Unless you're supporting the Girl Scouts, block cookies.


*Note: Session cookies have less risk than persistent cookies, so you can enable "always allow session cookies."


6. Disable third party browser add-ons or extensions on Internet Explorer. Some add-ons can be useful, but they have the ability to violate your privacy by monitoring your web browsing habits or changing the contents of a web page to gather your personal information.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Select "advanced" button → Disable the "enable third-party browser extensions" option

Disable third party browser add-ons or extensions



7. Protect against phishing attacks by preventing spoofing of Internationalized Domain Names (IDN). Always allow Internet Explorer to show encoded addresses, displaying IDN addresses in an encoded format helps to remove the visual similarity to the phishing domain name.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Select "advanced" button → Enable "always show encoded addresses"

Protect against phishing attacks by preventing spoofing



8. Allow Internet Explorer to safely deal with embedded sounds without interrupting Adobe Flash or Apple QuickTime. Web pages that have sounds may introduce security risks by having IE process additional untrusted data. It is recommended to disable the "play sounds in webpages" option.

Quick How-to: Tools → Internet Options → Select "advanced" button → Disable "play sounds in webpages"

Allow Internet Explorer to safely deal with embedded sounds



9. Keep Internet Explorer software up-to-date. New patches are often released to repair existing vulnerabilities in the software. Remember to also keep operating system software and all other software up-to-date.

Featured

  • 2025 Security LeadHER Conference Program Announced

    ASIS International and the Security Industry Association (SIA) – the leading membership associations for the security industry – have announced details for the 2025 Security LeadHER conference, a special event dedicated to advancing, connecting and empowering women in the security profession. The third annual Security LeadHER conference will be held Monday, June 9 – Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan. This carefully crafted program represents a comprehensive professional development opportunity for women in security this year. To view the full lineup at this year’s event, please visit securityleadher.org. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Report: 82 Percent of Phishing Emails Used AI

    KnowBe4, the world-renowned cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, today launched its Phishing Threat Trend Report, detailing key trends, new data, and threat intelligence insights surrounding phishing threats targeting organizations at the start of 2025. Read Now

  • NRF Supports Federal Bill to Thwart Retail Crime

    The National Retail Federation recently announced its support for the Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2025. The act was introduced by Chairman Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nev., and Representative Dave Joyce, R-Ohio. Read Now

  • ISC West 2025 Brings Almost 29,000 Industry Professionals to Las Vegas

    ISC West 2025, organized by RX and in collaboration with the Security Industry Association, concluded at the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas last week. The nation’s leading comprehensive and converged security event attracted nearly 29,000 industry professionals and left a lasting impression on the global security community. Over five action-packed days, ISC West welcomed more than 19,000 attendees and featured 750 exhibiting brands. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Tradeshow Work Can Be Fun

    While at ISC West last week, I ran into numerous friends and associates all of which was a pleasant experience. The first question always seemed to be, “How many does this make for you?” Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Hanwha QNO-7012R

    Hanwha QNO-7012R

    The Q Series cameras are equipped with an Open Platform chipset for easy and seamless integration with third-party systems and solutions, and analog video output (CVBS) support for easy camera positioning during installation. A suite of on-board intelligent video analytics covers tampering, directional/virtual line detection, defocus detection, enter/exit, and motion detection.