Listener Mike_B writes:

For those who are unable to, or do not want to switch to an alternative browser, it is possible to make Internet Explorer more secure. Keep in mind, the best security is to not use IE.

1. Use a “limited” Windows XP accountSince software installation is restricted in a limited account, this prevents the automatic installation of spyware or “malware” (malicious software). Only use an administrator account to install software.
2. Install Service Pack 2SP2 installs many patches to make XP more secure and is highly recommended. With the SP2 installation, several new features have been added to Internet Explorer. By default, ActiveX and popups are blocked and instead you get an “information bar.” Only allow popups and ActiveX on sites you trust (like Windows Update). You also get an “add-on” manager that allows you to enable or disable extensions to the browser (such as MSN Messenger, toolbars, etc).
3. Raise the security level in Internet ExplorerBy increasing the security level, you can restrict what sites use ActiveX, scripting, certificate installation, and many other options in IE by using “zones”.

To access the security settings do the following:

1. Select tools…Internet Options
2. Click <security>
3. Select the zone you want to modify and add the appropriate sites

The “Internet zone” should have all ActiveX set to “prompt” for you to decide on a case by case basis if something should be installed.

About.com has written a very good article further detailing how you can make IE more secure. You can get the article by going to http://antivirus.about.com/library/blexplorer.htm

If anyone wants to Disable Internet Explorer, you can set it to work offline. But could someone please tell me the way to get the option back?

After someone clicks to allow it to show a page, I don’t know why but when it was clicked to allow the page the option to put it in offline mode didn’t return to the IE Menu.

I had it lose the option to browse offline before in Windows 95 never found a solution for it and didn’t have to because the next update to IE brought the option back but now there are no more updates for Internet Explorer.

If anyone else has it maybe a Registry hack to make it so that the IE is in default offline mode it would be good too.