| Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 is included as part of Windows XP (earlier versions of Internet Explorer are included with earlier versions of Windows). As a result, Internet Explorer is one of the most popular Web browsers. Although the main function of Internet Explorer is to view Web content available from Internet- and intranet-based Web servers, it provides much more functionality than just this. For example, Internet Explorer can be used to access email and newsgroups. Internet Explorer is customizable, meaning it provides you with a number of different options that can be configured to control how the Web browser functions. For example, you can control where and how temporary Internet files are stored, configure security settings, and modify a number of advanced settings. You can begin customizing Internet Explorer by opening the Web browser, clicking Tools, and selecting Options. The Internet Options dialog box appears and presents you with a number of different tabs and settings. In terms of troubleshooting, it is important that you are familiar with the various settings and what they are used for. This information will assist you in determining the cause of a problem when one does arise. The following sections describe the different settings available from the Internet Options dialog box.  | Make sure you are familiar with the different settings available for customizing Internet Explorer. |
General Settings Using the General tab from the Internet Options dialog box (see Figure 2.1), you can configure the following settings: -
Home Page -
Temporary Internet Files -
History -
Colors -
Fonts -
Languages -
Accessibility Figure 2.1. Using the General tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
Home Page Each time you open Internet Explorer, an HTML page is displayed. It is referred to as the home page . By configuring the home page settings, you can specify which HTML page you want displayed when you open Internet Explorer. This is also the page you return to when you click the Home button on the toolbar . You have three options when configuring the home page. When you select the Use Current button, the Web page that is currently open in your browser becomes the home page. When you select the Use Default button, the home page is set to the page configured when Internet Explorer was first installed. Selecting the Use Blank button displays a blank HTML page. Temporary Internet Files To improve performance and reduce the amount of time you spend waiting to view Web pages, Internet Explorer stores many of the Web pages and graphics you have viewed in a folder on your hard drive. The next time you revisit a Web site, Internet Explorer can use the content stored in the Temporary Internet Files folder to display the site content, instead of retrieving it from the Web. Using the General tab, you can choose from three different buttons to configure temporary Internet files. The first button, Delete Cookies, deletes all cookies stored on your computer. The Delete Files button empties the contents of the Temporary Internet Files folder. This capability is useful if you are running low on disk space.  | When you visit an Internet site, cookies are created and stored on your computer. A cookie is a small text file that may store information including preferences for an Internet site or personal information, such as your email address. |
Selecting the Settings button brings up a number of other options that you can configure for temporary Internet files (see Figure 2.2). You can configure when Internet Explorer checks for newer versions of Web pages that have been stored on your computer. You can choose any one of the following options to control how Internet Explorer updates stored Web pages: -
Every Visit to the Page ” When you return to a Web page you have previously viewed, Internet Explorer checks for updates to the page. Keep in mind that with this option selected, browsing pages you have previously viewed can take longer. -
Every Time You Start Internet Explorer ” When you return to a Web page viewed in a previous session, Internet Explorer checks for updates to the page. Selecting this option can improve performance when viewing Web pages you have viewed previously. -
Automatically ” When you return to a Web page viewed in a previous session, Internet Explorer checks for updates to the page. However, if Internet Explorer determines that a Web page rarely changes, it checks for updates less frequently. This option provides the best performance when you are browsing Web pages. -
Never ” Internet Explorer never checks for updates to Web pages you have viewed previously. Figure 2.2. Configuring additional Temporary Internet Files settings. 
You can also allocate how much disk space is available for the Temporary Internet Files folder and change the default location where this folder is stored. For example, if you have limited disk space, you may want to decrease the amount allocated to your temporary Internet files. You can use the View Files button to open the Temporary Internet Files folder and the View Object button to view the ActiveX and Java controls that have been downloaded. History Internet Explorer keeps links to Web pages that you have recently viewed and stores them in the History folder. By default, links are kept in the History folder for 20 days. If you have a limited amount of disk space, consider lowering this number. You can also clear the contents of the History folder by selecting the Clear History button.  | You can use the remaining buttons on the General tab to further customize your browser, such as the colors and fonts. For example, you may want to increase the size of the font, making it easier to read. |
Security and Privacy Settings Many people who use the Internet are concerned about protecting their computer and personal information. Internet Explorer contains several security and privacy settings that you can take advantage of to secure your computer and maintain your privacy. Using Security Zones Internet Explorer allows you to group Web sites into different zones. Actions can be performed on the Web sites within a zone based on the zone's specific security settings. For example, you can configure Internet Explorer to automatically download any software from Web sites within the Trusted zone. Alternatively, you can configure your browser to prompt you before downloading any software from Web sites within other zones. | | Security has also become a popular exam topic. Be sure you are familiar with the various security settings within Internet Explorer. |
The Security tab (see Figure 2.3) available from the Internet Options dialog box displays four separate zones that are summarized in Table 2.1. Figure 2.3. The Security tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
Table 2.1. Web Content Zones | Zone | Description | | Internet | This zone contains the majority of sites that have not been placed in another zone. | | Local Intranet | These sites exist within your organization's intranet. | | Trusted Sites | These sites are those you trust not to damage your computer and/or data. | | Restricted Sites | These sites are considered potentially harmful to your computer and/or data. |
By default, Internet Explorer takes security precautions to protect your computer while you are browsing the Internet. All Web sites are placed within the Internet zone with a security level of medium . This setting allows you to safely browse the Internet but notifies you before downloading any content that may be unsafe. You can add a Web site to a zone by selecting the specific zone, clicking the Sites button, and typing the address of the Web site (see Figure 2.4). Figure 2.4. Adding a Web site to a security zone. 
From the Security tab, you can also set the security level for a zone. For example, sites on your company's intranet are more than likely safe, so you can configure a low level of security for the Local Intranet zone. Each zone is configured with a default security level. You can accept the default settings, or you can customize the security level to meet your specific needs. The security level for a zone can be changed by moving the slider to low, medium-low, medium, or high. Alternatively, more experienced users can define a custom level of security. | | If a user is trying to access a Web site that requires some functionality that is disabled by the security level configured for the zone, add the Web site to the list of Trusted Sites. |
Working with Privacy Settings As mentioned previously, cookies are small text files stored on your computer as you visit different Web sites. A cookie contains information about your visit to the site including any personal information you provided, such as your email address. Using the Privacy tab shown in Figure 2.5, you can configure which cookies are accepted and/or blocked. The default level of privacy for Internet Explorer is set to medium. You can change the privacy level by moving the slider. Figure 2.5. The Privacy tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
| | You can change the privacy settings to block all cookies. Do so with caution because you may have difficulty using any sites that allow you to personalize information. |
Content Settings Using the Content tab shown in Figure 2.6, you can configure these three properties: -
Content Advisor -
Certificates -
Personal Information Figure 2.6. The Content tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
Internet Explorer includes a feature known as the Content Advisor. This feature allows you to control the type of Web content that is acceptable for viewing. You can restrict certain content that you deem as inappropriate from being displayed by your browser. Although this is a great feature of Internet Explorer, it works only if the Web sites you are visiting have obtained security ratings. Certificates verify the identity of an entity such as a user or computer. Internet Explorer uses personal certificates for Web sites that require you to verify your identity. Your browser uses Web certificates to verify the security of a Web site. For example, Web site certificates verify that you are downloading software from a reliable Web site. Three buttons are available for certificates from the Content tab. The Clear SSL Slate button clears any client authentication certificates from the SSL cache (normally, these certificates remain in the cache until the computer is restarted). You can use the remaining two buttons, Certificates and Publishers, to view the certificate currently stored on the computer. Two additional buttons are available under Personal Information: AutoComplete and My Profile. The AutoComplete feature displays possible Web site matches based on what is typed in the address bar. The AutoComplete Settings enable you to specify how you want to use AutoComplete. You also have the option of clearing the AutoComplete history (see Figure 2.7). Figure 2.7. Configuring AutoComplete Settings. 
Internet Explorer allows you to create personal profiles that can include information such as your name , address, and phone number. Instead of your having to provide such information each time a Web site requests it, the Web site can access the information stored in your personal profile (with your permission). By selecting the My Profile button, you can create a new profile or select an existing profile from your address book to represent your profile. | | By default, the Profile Assistant is enabled. This means you are prompted before your personal information is shared with a Web site. You can disable this feature altogether so your personal information is never shared with a Web site. To do so, use the Advanced tab of the Internet Options dialog box. Clear the Enable Profile Assistant option. |
Connections Settings You can use the different settings available on the Connections tab to specify how Internet Explorer will connect to the Internet (see Figure 2.8). Figure 2.8. Using the Connections tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
If you need to create a connection to the Internet, you can select the Setup button. Doing so launches the New Connection Wizard, which walks you through the process of creating a new Internet connection. Any dial-up and Virtual Private Network (VPN) Internet connections currently configured on the local computer are listed on the Connections tab. If you are connecting to the Internet through a proxy server , you can select the Settings button to configure the necessary proxy settings (see Figure 2.9). Table 2.2 summarizes the various settings in the Settings dialog box. Figure 2.9. Configuring proxy settings for a dial-up and VPN Internet connection. 
Table 2.2. Dial-up and Virtual Private Network Settings | Setting | Description | | Automatically Detect Settings | Proxy settings and configuration settings are automatically detected . | | Use AutomaticConfiguration Script | Settings are retrieved from a file created by the network administrator. You must also specify the URL to the file or filename. | | Use a Proxy Server for This Connection | Internet Explorer must connect to the Internet through a proxy server. You must provide the address and port number of the proxy server. By selecting the Advance button, you can configure which proxy server and port number to use for different protocols, such as HTTP and FTP. You can then create an exception list. When you try to access computers on the exception list, the proxy server is not used. | | Bypass Proxy for Local Addresses | You select this option if you do not want to use a proxy server for local (intranet) addresses. Selecting this option can improve performance when accessing computers on your intranet. | | Username | For dial-up connections, this account name is assigned to you by your Internet service provider. | | Password | This password is assigned to you by your Internet service provider. | | Domain | This domain name is assigned to you by your Internet service provider. |
| | A proxy server stands between your computer or intranet and the Internet. The proxy server receives requests for Internet resources, such as a Web page, from clients on the intranet. The proxy server acts on behalf of the client and retrieves the requested resource from the Internet. |
Using the settings available on the Connections tab, you can specify what Internet Explorer should do when a connection to the Internet is not available but one is required. You can select from one of the following options: -
Never Dial a Connection ” Internet Explorer does not automatically establish a connection when one is not present but required. A connection must be established manually. -
Dial Whenever a Network Connection Is Not Present ” Internet Explorer attempts to establish a connection using your default dial-up connections when a network connection is not available. -
Always Dial My Default Connection ” Internet Explorer always attempts to connect using your default dial-up networking connection. In some cases, Internet Explorer may access the Internet using the local area network (LAN) connection. For example, when you connect to the Internet using a high-speed connection such as a cable modem, the connection is often established using your network connection, as opposed to a traditional Internet connection using a modem and analog line. Or if a computer is on a company intranet, an Internet connection will more than likely be established using the LAN connection. In any case, you may need to configure Internet Explorer to use a proxy server. You can do so by selecting the LAN Settings button located near the bottom of the Connections tab. Refer to Table 2.2 for a description of the available settings. Programs Settings Sometimes when you click a link on a Web site, Internet Explorer needs to invoke another program such as an HTML Editor or an email program. Using the Programs tab (see Figure 2.10), you can specify the default program Internet Explorer should launch when a program of a specific type is required. For example, you can configure Internet Explorer to launch Microsoft Outlook when a link on a Web site needs to invoke an email program. Figure 2.10. Configuring Internet programs. 
Advanced Settings Using the Advanced tab of the Internet Connections dialog box (see Figure 2.11), you can configure a number of different options such as specific browser settings, the HTTP protocol Internet Explorer uses, and the way your browser handles Java programs. Table 2.3 summarizes the different categories of settings you can configure. Figure 2.11. The Advanced tab of the Internet Options dialog box. 
Table 2.3. Advanced Internet Options Settings | Setting | Description | | Accessibility | These settings make Internet Explorer more accessible. | | Browsing | These settings are used to configure how Internet Explorer behaves while you're browsing Web sites. | | HTTP 1.1 Settings | These settings control whether Internet Explorer uses HTTP 1.1 for accessing Web sites. Some Web sites still use HTTP 1.0, so if problems occur displaying certain Web sites, uncheck these settings. | | Microsoft VM | These settings tell Internet Explorer how to handle Java applets. For example, you can log all Java activity, which can be useful for troubleshooting. | | Multimedia | These settings tell Internet Explorer how to handle multimedia files on Web sites. | | Printing | The Print option available from the File menu within Internet Explorer enables you to print the contents of a Web page. Unless configured to do so, the background graphics and colors are not included with the printed image. | | Search from the Address Bar | These settings customize the way Internet Explorer performs search-es from the address bar when enabled to do so. | | Security | These settings enable you to configure Advanced security settings to help protect your computer and data when accessing the Internet. |
| | By default, some of the settings on the Advanced tab of the Internet Options dialog box are enabled and others disabled. If you make changes to any of the settings, you can easily return to the default settings by clicking the Restore Defaults button. |
| 