Navigate sub-frames across different domains Launching programs and files in an IFRAME Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scriptingĪllow scripting of Internet Explorer Webbrowser controlĪllow script-initiated windows without size or position constraintsĪllow web pages to use restricted protocols for active contentĭon’t prompt for client certificate selection when no certificates or only one certificate existsĭrag and drop or copy and paste files to/from Explorer Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe

Run components not signed with Authenticode Choose the Security tab, select the Internet icon at the top, and then click the Custom Level button to display the Security Settings dialog box, shown in Figure 4-1. Open the Windows Control Panel and open Internet Options (or, in IE, go to Tools → Internet Options). If you want to stick with Internet Explorer for now, you can take steps to make it safer. Despite these problems, Microsoft has too much corporate strategy tied up in this design to change it now, which leaves you with two choices: hobble Internet Explorer by turning off the most dangerous features, or use a safer alternative such as Mozilla Firefox (more on that later). But it didn’t take long for unscrupulous hackers and greedy corporate executives to learn how to exploit Internet Explorer’s open nature, which is why we now have spyware, adware, browser hijackers, pop-ups, and other nasty surprises. At first, web site designers used this capability sparingly, mostly to install widgets and small helper programs to add trivial features to their pages. But the larger issue is IE’s underlying design-and its cozy connection with the underlying operating system-which permits any web site to install software on your PC. THE FIX: Over the years, Microsoft has fixed dozens of security holes in Internet Explorer, and if you’ve been using XP’s Windows Update feature regularly, you already have these patches installed. Has Microsoft fixed these problems? If not, why not?

THE ANNOYANCE: I’ve heard that Internet Explorer is riddled with security holes.

Best email clients for windows xp