Understanding Internet Explorer Protect Mode
What does Internet Explorer Protected mode do?
The Internet Explorer Protect mode is a new feature with the Internet Explorer 7 that prevents malicious software from being installed on your computer.
Protected mode is turned on by default in the Internet, intranet, and restricted sites zones and an icon appears on the status bar to let you know it is on.
When you upgrade to Internet Explorer 7, nearly all previously installed add-ons, or ActiveX controls, are disabled by default to prevent vulnerable controls from exposing your computer to attack. If you want to install Add-ons you require, you will need to log on as an administrator.
It also warns you when web pages try to install software on your computer, or save files on your computer without your consent, or run certain software program.
Briefly
Higher security levels can help protect you from hackers and web attacks. You are warned when a software program would run outside of Internet Explorer and outside of protected mode, because that program might have more access to your computer than you prefer. This usually happens when a website is using an add-on to run a software program on your computer.
The Security Status bar displays the identity of secure websites to help you make informed decisions when making a transaction on the Internet or using online banking or merchants. With Extended Validation (EV) certificates you can identify a website owner or organization.
Notes
If you turned the warning off and want to show it again, you need to reset Internet Explorer's settings. For more information, see Reset Internet Explorer settings.
Resetting Internet Explorer settings
What does it mean to reset your Internet Explorer settings?
By resetting Internet Explorer settings, you return it to the state it was in when it was first installed on your computer.
When is it necessary to reset your Internet Explorer settings?
It may be necessary to reset your Internet Explorer when troubleshooting problems that might be caused by settings that were changed after installation. For example if you turned the security warning off and want to show it again.
What are the implications of Resetting your Internet Explorer?
You have to think carefully, before resetting Internet Explorer's settings as this action is not reversible. After a reset, all previous settings are lost and cannot be recovered. Rather than resetting everything, you might want to reset specific settings or delete your webpage history. For more information, see the links at the bottom of this topic.
When you restore Internet Explorer's default settings, some webpages that rely on previously stored cookies, form data, passwords, or previously installed browser add-ons might not work correctly.
Resetting the Internet Explorer
1. Start the Internet by Opening Internet Explorer and clicking the Start button and then clicking Internet Explorer.
2. Click the Tools button, and then choose Internet Options.
3. Click the Security tab.
4. Click the Internet icon.
5. Do one of the following
To pick a preset security level, drag the slider.
To change individual security settings, click Custom level. Change the settings as desired and click OK when you are done.
To set Internet Explorer back to the default security level, click Default level
6. When you are finished making changes to the security settings, click OK.