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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:
1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. Click “Tools” on the menu bar at
the top of the screen.
3. 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:
1. Click the “Security” tab at the
top of the “Internet Options” window.
The
“Security” tab of the “Internet Options” window
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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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