Using Internet Explorer 9′s ActiveX Filtering Feature

ActiveX controls are programs that add extra functions to Internet Explorer, such as the ability to watch videos and play games in your web browser. While they can be useful, they can also pose a security risk. Internet Explorer 9′s new ActiveX Filtering feature can prevent websites from installing and using ActiveX controls on your computer. ActiveX Filtering blocks all ActiveX controls in Internet Explorer 9. However, you can customize the feature so that it doesn’t run on websites where you want to use ActiveX controls.

Turning On ActiveX Filtering

ActiveX Filtering is turned off by default in Internet Explorer 9. To turn the feature on, start Internet Explorer 9 and click the Tools button in the upper right hand corner of the browser. Select Safety, then ActiveX Filtering. A check mark should now appear beside ActiveX Filtering when you view the Tools drop-down menu.

Fix Problems with Google Toolbar in Internet Explorer 9

If you’ve recently upgraded to Internet Explorer 9, you may experience problems with Google Toolbar. The toolbar may cause Internet Explorer to crash, or may be absent altogether.
This usually happens because certain versions of the Google Toolbar are incompatible with Internet Explorer 9. This problem is simple to solve, and only takes a few minutes. These steps will also solve compatibility problems between Google Toolbar and Internet Explorer 8.

View a Webpage’s Privacy Policy in Internet Explorer 9

Governments around the world are cracking down on websites that collect information about visitors. Some laws and some industry-standard best practices require website owners to reveal what information they are collecting and how it is used. If you are concerned about the information collected about you on the web, you can view a webpage’s privacy policy right from within Internet Explorer 9.

Why View a Website’s Privacy Policy?

It is no secret that companies derive value from information collected about customers and visitors. Some information is collected about you without you knowing. In brick and mortar stores, some of this information includes counts of traffic, average time spent in the store, and  average time spent waiting in the checkout line.
Websites collect information too but whereas information collected without your knowledge in the real world is largely anonymous, information collected in the digital world can identify who you are. Collection of

Report an Unsafe Website to Microsoft in Internet Explorer 9

The Internet is full of websites that are phishing for your private information or contain malicious code that can jeopardize the security of your PC. Using a safety feature built in to IE9, you can inform Microsoft when you think you’ve found an unsafe website. Learn how to report unsafe websites to Microsoft in Internet Explorer 9.

Why Report Unsafe Websites to Microsoft?

Although a number of active and passive safety devices are available to keep your PC secure, nothing is more powerful in keeping everyone’s PC safe than active participation by a community of computers users. Recently, Microsoft began harnessing the power IE end-users to help report websites that appear unsafe.
There are two major threats when it comes to websites. The first threat is a phishing scam that attempts to get visitors to reveal personal information. This information often forms the basis for identity theft and other crimes. The second threat is malicious code that executes on your PC and introduces viruses and other malware to your computer.
If you think you’ve encountered either threat, you can inform Microsoft. The company then adds the website to its growing database of suspicious sites. When it gets enough complaints about a website, the site is flagged as a potential security threat. When other users attempt to access the site, they are warned that the site may be a threat to personal or PC safety. By reporting suspicious websites, you are doing your part to make the Internet safer for everyone.