The Utterances of a Peculiar Mindset

What can be done to assure a secure internet access??? here it goes..

Deleting cookies

Many Web sites drop little files onto your system that let them keep track of your passwords, and the date and time of your visits. To get rid of these files, delete the contents of the Cookies folder and the Temporary Internet Files folder in your Windows directory (but not the folders themselves). This will remove all traces of your surfing pattern. You could also use a third-party cookie cleaning software such as Cookie Crusher.
If you want to perform this task in Internet Explorer 6, open a new window of Internet Explorer; go to Tools- Internet Options. In the new window that appears, click on Delete Cookies. Once that is done, click on Delete files. You can delete all offline content if you want. That should take care of the temporary files and cookies in Internet Explorer.



Working around cookies

Adjust IE's security settings to keep random Web sites from sending cookies to your hard drive or uploading ActiveX Controls. To do this, select Internet Options from the Tools menu, and click on the Security tab. Slide the bar under 'Security level for this zone' up or down to increase or decrease the security level. Each level-High, Medium, Medium-Low, and Low-lists exactly which actions and applications it allows or blocks. It is better to click Custom Levels, and then select to prompt for cookies that are stored on your computer. This allows you to control which sites' cookies you want to allow. Remember though, that some sites may not work properly if cookies are disabled. In addition to this, you should also disable ActiveX, since this can pose a serious security hazard.

Disabling Windows Scripting Host for Windows 9x

Internet Explorer installs Windows Scripting Host by default, and this is used to run VB scripts that may contain viruses or Trojans. To remove Windows Scripting Host, go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Windows Setup. Select Accessories and from there uncheck Windows Scripting Host. You can also go to the Folder Options in Windows Explorer, and select the .vbs file type and remove it

Disabling AutoComplete

The AutoComplete feature may be useful while filling out forms and usernames, but it also allows other users to know your usernames and then guess your passwords. When the AutoComplete function is active, some sites, search engines and entry fields retain the words you've entered, so anyone who uses the browser after you and visits that site can see the entries you made. To turn off this feature, go to Tools > Internet Options, and click the Content tab. Next, click the AutoComplete button in the Personal Information section to display the AutoComplete Settings window. Uncheck the 'Forms' and 'Usernames and Passwords on Forms' boxes.



Deleting History items

The History folder stores a record of all the Web sites you've visited. This can be used to spy on your online activities. To get rid of unwanted URL histories, go to Tools > Internet Options, and click on the General tab. You will find the History section, and click the Clear History button. Always repeat this before you close the browser. Set the 'Days to keep pages in History' to 1. This will not only keep IE neat and tidy, but will also act as a cushion if you forget to delete the history. If you don't want to clear your entire History folder, but want to remove single pages, click the History button on your IE toolbar to open the History window frame. This shows up sites, with all the pages you visited there, as files. Right-click on the file you want to get rid of, and select Delete.



Filtering content

Certain sites on the Internet are not appropriate for children. You can use a separate software program for filtering content, but IE also has some built-in filtering tools. To configure these, go to Tools > Internet Options > Content. Under Content Advisor, click the Enable button, and adjust the slider in each of the four categories-Language, Nudity, Sex, and Violence. The Description box at the bottom details what each level allows. Click OK to activate the Advisor.



Disabling Java

Java and JavaScript applets can take control of your browser, and you should exercise caution when surfing unknown and potentially questionable sites. Both Java and JavaScript can be disabled from within the browser, but you will miss out on a lot of cyber experiences. The best course, then, would be to toggle between these settings according to the perceived security threat.Note: Some harmless Web sites using Java may not load properly if you disable Java and JavaScript in Internet Explorer.

Changing setting of restricted zone

The default settings of Internet Explorer enable Active scripts for Restricted Sites. To modify these settings in Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Options > Security and select Restricted Zones. Click on Custom Level and then go to the Active Scripting option and disable it.