Browser Configuration to Prevent Spyware...
One of the most prevalent means for spyware and adware to be installed is through Internet Explorer. To prevent spyware and adware from installing without your knowledge and permission, you need to "lock down" Internet Explorer. There are several ways to do this.
Securely configure the Internet zone
Most of the Internet Explorer settings that we'll be configuring apply to the Internet zone. The Internet zone is the default zone that all web sites fall into unless the user explicitly adds them to another zone (e.g., the Trusted sites zone or the Restricted sites zone). It's important to lock down the Internet zone as tightly as possible because a secure Internet zone is, in many ways, our first line of defense against potentially dangerous web sites. With a secure Internet zone, you'll never be unpleasantly surprised by a web site you're visiting for the first time. Locking down the Internet zone means that you will: be protected from rogue spyware installations (e.g., Gator, BonziBuddy, WebHancer, Lop.com, and the like); put an end to annoying, useless pop-ups at most web sites by default; be protected against security holes in active content that might let hackers and crackers compromise your system and your personal data; put all web sites on a "short leash" until you trust them enough to add them to your Trusted sites zone.
1. You can securely configure the Internet zone of Internet Explorer and add sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone. This means that by default web sites will not be able to use "active content" (i.e., ActiveX controls, Java applets, and scripting) until you explicitly choose to trust those web sites.
One potential downside to securely configuring the Internet zone is that some web sites will not work properly until you add them to the Trusted sites zone - a process that some users find cumbersome.
2. You can use another approach to "locking down" Internet Explorer which avoids the hassle of broken web sites by adding known "nasty" sites to the Restricted sites zone.
Doing so gives your PC protection against known threats while still allowing most web sites to work by default.
Securely configure the Internet zone
Most of the Internet Explorer settings that we'll be configuring apply to the Internet zone. The Internet zone is the default zone that all web sites fall into unless the user explicitly adds them to another zone (e.g., the Trusted sites zone or the Restricted sites zone). It's important to lock down the Internet zone as tightly as possible because a secure Internet zone is, in many ways, our first line of defense against potentially dangerous web sites. With a secure Internet zone, you'll never be unpleasantly surprised by a web site you're visiting for the first time. Locking down the Internet zone means that you will: be protected from rogue spyware installations (e.g., Gator, BonziBuddy, WebHancer, Lop.com, and the like); put an end to annoying, useless pop-ups at most web sites by default; be protected against security holes in active content that might let hackers and crackers compromise your system and your personal data; put all web sites on a "short leash" until you trust them enough to add them to your Trusted sites zone.
1. You can securely configure the Internet zone of Internet Explorer and add sites that you trust to the Trusted sites zone. This means that by default web sites will not be able to use "active content" (i.e., ActiveX controls, Java applets, and scripting) until you explicitly choose to trust those web sites.
One potential downside to securely configuring the Internet zone is that some web sites will not work properly until you add them to the Trusted sites zone - a process that some users find cumbersome.
2. You can use another approach to "locking down" Internet Explorer which avoids the hassle of broken web sites by adding known "nasty" sites to the Restricted sites zone.
Doing so gives your PC protection against known threats while still allowing most web sites to work by default.
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