How to Configure Internet Explorer 7 Security Settings

How to Configure Internet Explorer 7 Security Settings
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If you have recently upgraded to Internet Explorer 7 (abbreviated IE 7), you may have noticed that the Internet Options menu has additional functionality. Your Internet browsing history, cookies, temporary files, and saved passwords and forms can now be deleted with the click of a button. You can also manage tabs and tabbed homepages using the Internet Options screen. Read on to learn more about configuring Internet Options in IE 7.

Configure Browsing History

  1. Click on Tools on the explorer tool bar in the upper right of the page.
  2. Click Internet Options in the drop-down menu. This opens the Internet Options dialog window.
  3. Click on the General tab.
  4. Go to the Browsing History section.
  5. Click the Settings button. This opens the Temporary Internet Files window.
  6. Check the option for Every time I visit the webpage.
  7. Click OK.

Configure Security Settings

  1. Select the Security tab at the top of the Internet Options dialog window.
  2. Change the security level from IE’s default setting of Medium-High, by adjusting the slide bar upward or downward to your desired setting.
  3. Click on the Custom Level button if you would like to make the adjustment manually.

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Sec Tab

Quick Tips

  • If you adjust the setting to high, IE will prompt you for permission before completing many actions.
  • Most cookies will also be disabled, so they will not be able to do any tracking. However, keep in mind that some websites require that you have cookies enabled so as to interact with their site.

Configure Access to Content

Add Trusted Sites

  1. Click on the Trusted Sites icon
  2. Click on Sites button.
  3. Enter the links to any sites that you know for sure will not damage your computer.
  4. Click the Add button to enter each link.
  5. Click Close.

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Sec-trust

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Sec-trust 2

Add Restricted Sites

  1. Click on the Restricted Sites icon
  2. Click on the Sites button.
  3. Enter the links to any sites that you know for sure will damage your computer.
  4. Click the Add button to enter each link.
  5. Click Close.
  6. Click Apply.

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Sec-restrict

Configure Privacy Options

  1. Open the Internet Option Dialog window.
  2. Click on the Privacy tab.
  3. Change the security level from IE’s default setting of Medium, by adjusting the slide bar upward or downward to your desired setting.

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Privacy

Manage Cookies

  1. Click the Sites button. This opens the Per Site Privacy Actions window.
  2. Enter the links to sites that you want to allow or block from using cookies on your PC.
  3. Click the Block or Allow button as desired, to add each link.
  4. Click OK.

Screenshot - IE Internet Options - Privacy 2

Configure the IE Popup Blocker

Another important setting that you may want to configure in Internet Explorer 7 is the pop-up blocker. Pop-ups are not only irritating, but also present a potential security risk, so it is strongly recommended that you enable the pop-up blocker to prevent any unnecessary stress or hassle.

  1. Check the box to turn on the pop-up blocker.
  2. Click the Settings button.
  3. Enter any websites that you want to allow to pop-ups from.
  4. Click the Add button to enter each link.
  5. Check the boxes in the Notifications and Filter Level as desired.
  6. Use the drop-down menu in the Filter Level to select a filtering level.

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