Most of the Internet Explorer settings that we’ll be configuring apply to the Internet zone. The Internet zone is the default zone that all web sites fall into unless the user explicitly adds them to another zone (e.g., the Trusted sites zone or the Restricted sites zone). It’s important to lock down the Internet zone as tightly as possible because a secure Internet zone is, in many ways, our first line of defense against potentially dangerous web sites. With a secure Internet zone, you’ll never be unpleasantly surprised by a web site you’re visiting for the first time. Locking down the Internet zone means that you will:
# be protected from rogue spyware installations (e.g., Gator, BonziBuddy,
WebHancer, Lop.com, and the like);
# put an end to annoying, useless pop-ups at most web sites by default;
# be protected against security holes in active content that might let
hackers and crackers compromise your system and your personal
data;
# put all web sites on a “short leash” until you trust them enough to add
them to your Trusted sites zone.
