Making IE6 a secure browser (if that’s possible)

[az0000000]

Hello everybody,
For certain performance reasons I HAVE to move back to from IE7 to IE.
I am actually mostly using Firefox, but yet, whenever I use IE6 I want it to be at least as 50% safe as IE7. Especially I want to find a way to block drive-by installs when
navigating infected websites.
Is there a way to configure IE6 in such way that nothing gets installed from browser, or no script will automatically run and install till I give IE6 permission to do that?
Is it possible at all to make IE6 safe?
Any info or links for good articles are deeply appreciated.
Regards.

[mjq424]

Hi
I suggest the settings for Internet Explorer 6:

From within Internet Explorer click on the Tools menu and then click on Options.
Click once on the Security tab
Click once on the Internet icon so it becomes highlighted.
Click once on the Custom Level button.

Change the Download signed ActiveX controls to Prompt
Change the Download unsigned ActiveX controls to Disable
Change the Initialise and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe to Disable
Change the Installation of desktop items to Prompt
Change the Launching programs and files in an IFRAME to Prompt
Change the Navigate sub-frames across different domains to Prompt
When all these settings have been made, click on the OK button.
If it prompts you as to whether or not you want to save the settings, press the Yes button.
Next press the Apply button and then the OK to exit the Internet Properties page.
Alternatively you can set the Internet Security settings to High

Hope that helps

[az0000000]

Thanks for advice,
Did these settings ever work for you or anyone you know?
Thanks.

[mjq424]

Hi
To be honest I use IE7 and only use that for viewing hotmail emails and updating Windows so I can't be 100% sure how effective it is.

However, most security experts would say these are the best settings for protecting against most malicious software, while still allowing most website components to actually work. I would still recommend use of an alternative browser like Firefox or Opera as IE is nearly always subjected to exploits of some kind.

Hope that helps