You may have seen, or heard, news coverage about a significant security problem with Windows Internet Explorer. Following Microsoft’s admission that Internet Explorer was used to hack Google the German Government warned against using Internet Explorer. Now France has issued a similar warning.

Internet Explorer is the web browsing software used by many to access the internet. If you use this browser, the current flaw allows exploiting hackers to access files on your computer, to log keystrokes made, and to redirect you to specific websites. However, the advice from AGUK is not to panic but be cautious. 

To take any such advantage of a compromised system, a hacker must get you to either visit a specific website, or install a browser add-on. Depending on your security settings, this add-on (unlike software browser add-ons known as ActiveX controls) can be installed without you knowing. It is also undetected by current anti-virus software.

If you do not know which type of browser you are using click here and visit our browser test page. If you are using Internet Explorer there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of falling victim to Internet Explorer’s browsing weakness.

You could install and use an alternative web browser. AGUK recommends Google Chrome. This lightweight browser is faster than Internet Explorer and is growing in popularity. This would not necessitate the removal of Internet Explorer.

It is possible to run Internet Explorer with all add-ons disabled. This will help prevent your browser being susceptible to this latest attack. The simplest way to do this is by creating a shortcut on your desktop. Here’s how:

Close down all open programs and on your desktop right click on your mouse and select: [New > Shortcut]. Then in the box labelled "Type the location of the item” paste the following text exactly, including the quotes:

After you have done that click [Next] and then [Finish]. A new shortcut will now be on your desktop called iexplore.exe. When you use this shortcut you will see that Internet Explorer is launched with all add-ons and ActiveX controls disabled.  In this mode it is possible some websites will not display correctly, but this is the sacrifice you must pay until the security hole is closed by Microsoft.

(3) Enable High Security level in Internet Explorer
It is recommended you follow this process in conjunction with option 2 above.

Windows XP Users: Click Start > Run and type inetcpl.cpl then press Enter.

Windows Vista and Windows 7 Users: Click Start and in the search box type inetcpl.cpl then press Enter.

You should now see the Internet Properties window. Click on the Security tab, select Internet from the zones and then move the slider to High as per the image below. Make sure you click OK once you have changed these settings.

If you have any questions or concerns about this issue please let us know in the comments.