Protecting Windows
From the free version of Windows Secrets Newsletter; ISSUE 42 — 2004.11.18
for the complete article go to: WindowsSecrets.com/041118
"Protect IE -- part two "
"... Microsoft long ago integrated IE into the guts of the operating system, the flawed components are still present and can be taken advantage of by rogue Web sites, even if you never open an IE window...
Protecting the Local Machine Zone manually
...
Although the Local Machine Zone is a security zone used by Internet Explorer,
by default it is hidden from users. That means when you click Tools, Internet
Options in IE and select the Security tab (as described earlier), the Local
Machine Zone doesn't show up as one of the zones you can configure.
Microsoft documents in its online Knowledge Base a Registry setting that makes
the Local Machine Zone visible. This doesn't affect its security, it simply
makes it possible for you to alter the security settings of the zone.
Before altering the Registry, first make sure you back it up and know
how to restore it if you make a mistake.
Then click Start, Run, type regedit and click OK. In the
HKEY_CURRENT_USER folder, find the following Registry key:
SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Internet Settings \ Zones \ 0
In that key, the Flags value, which is a DWORD, controls whether
or not the Local Machine Zone is visible in IE's Security tab. Set the data
value to 47 (in hexadecimal) to display the zone or 21
(in hexadecimal) to hide it.
Microsoft's description of this procedure is in KB article
315933.
After you've made the change, you can then apply to the Local Machine Zone
the same security settings that are recommended below for the Internet Zone.
Be aware that this doesn't give you the multiple protections provided by
QwikFix-Pro and similar security software."
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and Paul Thurott at windowssecrets.com
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How to Secure your E-mail against certain viruses
www.infinisource.com/features/safe-email.html
Good advice! all should follow this if using Outlook or Outlook Express.
How to surf the Internet more safely with Internet Explorer
www.infinisource.com/techfiles/surf-safe.html
A more drastic appoach if you insist on using IE but it eliminates most problems while requiring most sites to be added to "Trusted Zone" in order to work properly.
Reference/Resource pages on the MALT/CVG web site:
Security Software & Utilites: security.html
More security info: protectpc.html
Utilities, Upgrade & Repair: utilities.html
Web Design & Programming Tools: tech_tools.html
Productivity Software: productivity.html
Home: index.html
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Email: contact Ken with comments, corrections or additions.
Blog: link to MCVG blog