Home Security Updates Products & Scans Computer Security Security Centers Get Updates Learn More Security update bulletin Bulletin archives Security updates FAQ Products Microsoft Security Essentials Get Windows Defender Get Malicious Software Removal Tool Get Internet Explorer 8 Run remote scan on another computer Help protect your PC with Microsoft Security Essentials Security in Internet Explorer 8 SmartScreen Filter in Internet Explorer 8 Security in Internet Explorer 7 Security in Windows Vista Security in Office 2007 Security in Outlook 2003 SP2 Security in Office 2003 PC Safety Scan Malicious Software Removal Tool Need to Know 4 steps to protect your computer What to do about the ATL security vulnerability Firewalls What is a firewall How to choose a firewall Firewalls in versions of Windows Firewalls FAQ Updates Get automatic updates Windows Update overview Microsoft Update overview Check your version of Windows Get Windows XP SP3 Security updates FAQ Windows Update FAQ Viruses What is a computer virus Computer virus symptoms Help prevent computer viruses Remove a computer virus Help prevent rogue security software Help prevent IM viruses Virus protection in versions of Windows Bluetooth Worms What is a computer worm How to prevent computer worms Help prevent the Conficker worm How to remove computer worms Spyware What is spyware Spyware symptoms How to prevent spyware How to remove spyware Spyware protection in versions of Windows Security Response Security Engineering Malware Protection

Security in Internet Explorer 7

Internet Explorer 7 provides powerful security features to help protect your computer from viruses and spyware, and displays warnings when your personal information might be at risk.

Help protect your computer against spyware

Windows Defender works with Internet Explorer 7 to help prevent spyware from getting onto your computer undetected. This can occur when spyware is part of a larger software download. Windows Defender comes with Windows Vista. If you use Windows XP SP2, you can download Windows Defender for no charge.

Help keep attackers out of your computer

ActiveX controls add valuable features, such as animation or pop-up menus, to Web pages. But Internet attackers can also use these controls in ways that they weren't intended to be used.

Internet Explorer 7 includes an ActiveX opt-in feature, which means that nearly all pre-installed ActiveX controls are off by default. You can still turn them on, however, through the Information Bar and the Add-on Manager. The Add-on Manager also allows you to turn off ActiveX controls once you've enabled them. You can also delete them.

Know when your security settings might be too low

The default security settings for Internet Explorer 7 provide you with a high level of security, while still enabling access to the Internet. However, some sites might require you to change your security settings to a lower level.

When you make critical changes to security settings using Internet Explorer 7 you will see those items highlighted in red. While you browse that particular site and until you change your settings back to a safer level, Internet Explorer reminds you that those new settings might put you at risk.


You can instantly reset Internet security settings in the Information Bar.

Back to Top

Use the Phishing Filter to help protect yourself from identity theft

Internet Explorer 7 includes access to an online filter service that advises you when Web sites might be phishing in an attempt to steal your confidential information. The filter performs some local analysis and looks for known characteristics of phishing techniques, and also uses data from the online service that is updated several times an hour.

Look at the identity information on sites using Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates

Internet Explorer 7 includes support for Extended Validation (EV) SSL Certificates. An EV SSL certificate not only helps ensure that the communication with a Web site is secure, but also includes information about the owner of the Web site (which has been identified by the Certification Authority (CA) issuing the SSL Certificate.)


The address bar should turn green to alert you that there is more information available about the Web site. The identity of the Web site owner is also displayed on the address bar. For more information, see Internet Explorer and Extended Validation SSL certificates.

See all your Internet security information in one place on your browser

The Security Status Bar in Internet Explorer 7 includes Phishing Filter notifications, High Assurance certificate information, the gold padlock (which indicates secure Web site connections) and certificate error notifications. You can also check certificate and privacy detail information with a single click.

Clear Internet history with one click

The sites you visit and the information you type when you browse the Web are stored in many different places within your computer.

In Internet Explorer 7, you no longer need to look in multiple locations to delete each separate piece of information. With the Delete Browsing History feature, you can clear all your browsing information with one click.

---

Was This Information Useful?

Share this page:

Print this page: