Optimize Internet Explorer 9 Privacy - A Comprehensive Guide
Privacy Concerns with Internet Explorer 9
Utilizing Internet Explorer 9 could potentially expose your complete browsing history to Microsoft. Alternatively, the browser might be configured to proactively prevent access to tracking websites.
The outcome is directly dependent on the specific configuration of Internet Explorer’s privacy controls.
Internet Explorer 9’s Tracking Protection
Tracking protection within Internet Explorer is a notable capability. However, features like suggested sites, the SmartScreen filter, and search suggestions have the potential to compromise your personal data.
It's important to note that tracking protection is not activated by default.
Maximizing Privacy
To achieve the highest level of privacy protection, you must manually enable tracking protection. This ensures that your browsing activity is shielded from unwanted observation.
Consider reviewing and adjusting all privacy settings within Internet Explorer 9 to align with your desired level of security.
- Ensure tracking protection is activated.
- Examine the settings for suggested sites.
- Review the configuration of the SmartScreen filter.
- Assess the privacy implications of search suggestions.
Protecting Your Privacy: Disabling Suggested Sites in Internet Explorer 9
When the Suggested Sites feature is activated within Internet Explorer 9, your complete browsing history is automatically transmitted to Microsoft.
Microsoft retains this data, analyzing it and comparing it with browsing patterns from other users who visit comparable websites.
Consequently, Internet Explorer presents these identified similar sites as recommendations when you access the Suggested Sites folder located on your favorites bar.
How to Disable Suggested Sites
If you prefer to prevent Internet Explorer 9 from forwarding every website you browse to Microsoft, accessing the settings is straightforward.
Begin by clicking the gear-shaped icon representing the Tools menu, and then select Internet Options from the dropdown.
This will open the Internet Options window, where you can adjust various browser settings.
Adjusting Internet Options
Navigate to the Advanced tab within the Internet Options window.
Scroll down to the Browsing section of the list and locate the option labeled Enable Suggested Sites.
To safeguard your privacy, simply uncheck this box.
Finally, click OK to save your changes.
By following these steps, Internet Explorer will no longer transmit your browsing history to Microsoft, ensuring a greater level of privacy.
Enhanced Privacy Through Tracking Protection
Internet Explorer 9 provides the functionality to utilize custom tracking protection lists. These lists comprise a compilation of scripts and files designed to monitor your online activity. When a page employing these tracked elements is visited, Internet Explorer 9 will refrain from loading them, effectively preventing the tracking mechanisms from functioning.
Furthermore, when a tracking protection list is activated, Internet Explorer 9 automatically transmits a “do not track” request. Currently, however, a significant number of websites do not acknowledge or respond to this request.
Managing Tracking Protection Lists
By default, Internet Explorer 9 does not include any pre-installed tracking protection lists. Consequently, no privacy enhancements are active until a list is manually installed. To view currently installed lists, access the Tools menu, navigate to Safety, and then select Tracking Protection.
Acquiring Tracking Protection Lists
A selection of available lists can be found on Microsoft’s website by clicking the “Get a Tracking Protection List Online” link. This will direct you to a gallery of options.
Installing a Tracking Protection List
To install a list, simply click the “Add” button associated with it. For example, the EasyPrivacy tracking protection list can be installed. This particular list is maintained by the developers of the widely-used EasyList ad-blocking subscription for Adblock Plus.
Automatic Updates: Internet Explorer 9 is configured to automatically download updated versions of your selected tracking protection lists on a weekly basis, ensuring continued protection.
SmartScreen Filter Functionality
The SmartScreen Filter, introduced in Internet Explorer 9, is a security feature designed to protect users from potentially harmful websites. This protection is achieved through the transmission of visited website addresses to Microsoft for analysis.
Upon accessing a website, Internet Explorer 9 initially verifies it against a locally stored list of frequently visited and deemed safe sites. Should a website not be present on this list, its address is then forwarded to Microsoft for evaluation against a database of known malicious sites.
Understanding the Risks of Disabling SmartScreen
It's important to note that disabling the SmartScreen Filter will remove the proactive warnings regarding potentially dangerous websites. Users should be aware of this increased risk before proceeding with deactivation.
To disable the feature, navigate to the Tools menu within Internet Explorer 9. From there, select Safety and then choose the option labeled “Turn Off SmartScreen Filter.”
Disabling the SmartScreen Filter
A confirmation window will appear after selecting the disable option. Confirm your choice by clicking the “Turn Off” option and then clicking “OK.”
Even with the SmartScreen Filter disabled, manual checks of individual websites remain possible. This can be done by selecting the "Check this website" option found within the Safety menu.
Search Suggestions in Internet Explorer
The search suggestions functionality within Internet Explorer transmits your typed input from the address bar directly to the designated default search engine.
This process allows the search engine to return a list of related search queries, which are then presented to the user in a convenient drop-down format.
How Search Suggestions Work
Internet Explorer 9 integrates both the address bar and the search functionality into a single field.
Consequently, with search suggestions activated, your default search engine gains visibility into the website addresses you enter.
Disabling Search Suggestions
Deactivating this feature is a straightforward process.
Simply begin typing within the address bar, and a "Turn Off Suggestions" link will become available for selection.
Clicking this link will immediately disable the search suggestions feature, enhancing your privacy.
Cookies
Many online platforms, including advertising networks and various websites, frequently employ cookies to monitor user activity. Within Internet Explorer 9, adjustments to cookie preferences can be made through the Privacy tab located within the Internet Options window.
Increasing the slider position will enhance cookie blocking capabilities. At the highest setting, websites are prevented from storing cookies, effectively hindering login functionality.
Cookie Settings and Website Functionality
Be aware that certain settings may introduce compatibility issues with some websites. Should you encounter problems, consider reducing the slider's position to a lower level.
Having completed these steps, Internet Explorer 9 should now be configured with enhanced privacy features. The level of privacy afforded by Internet Explorer 9 is highly configurable, ranging from minimal to maximal security, depending on user settings.
The browser’s privacy level is directly determined by how it is customized by the user.