How To Configure Internet Explorer Security

by Tony Bradley, CISSP-ISSAP
A tech journalist and prolific author who specializes in network and internet security.
Updated August 14, 2018

Internet Explorer offers four different zones to help you classify security level depending on how well you know or trust the site: Trusted, Restricted, Internet and Intranet or Local.

Classifying the sites you visit and configuring your Internet Explorer security settings for each zone can help to ensure you can safely surf the Web without fear of malicious ActiveX or Java applets.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: 10 Minutes

Here's How

  1. Click on Tools on the menu bar at the top of Internet Explorer
  2. Click on Internet Options from the Tools drop-down menu
  3. When Internet Options opens up, click on the Security tab
  4. Internet Explorer begins by categorizing sites into either Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Site or Restricted Site zones. You can specify the security settings for each zone. Select the zone you wish to configure.
  5. You can use the Default Level button to select from the predefined security settings Microsoft set up in Internet Explorer. See Tips for details of each setting.
  6. MEDIUM is most appropriate for the majority of Internet surfing. It has safeguards against malicious code but is not so restrictive as to prohibit you from viewing most websites.
  7. You can also click on the Custom Level button and alter individual settings, starting with one of the Default levels as a baseline and then changing specific settings.

Tips

  1. LOW -Minimal safeguards and warning prompts are provided -Most content is downloadable and run without prompts -All active content can run -Appropriate for sites that you absolutely trust
  2. MEDIUM-LOW -Same as Medium without prompts -Most content will be run without prompts -Unsigned ActiveX controls will not be downloaded -Appropriate for sites on your local network (Intranet)
  3. MEDIUM -Safe browsing and still functional -Prompts before downloading potentially unsafe content -Unsigned ActiveX controls will not be downloaded -Appropriate for most Internet sites
  4. HIGH -The safest way to browse, but also the least functional -Less secure features are disabled -Appropriate for sites that might have harmful content

What You Need

  • Computer
  • Internet Explorer