Understanding Internet Options
Internet Explorer, the Internet portal for the Microsoft Windows operating system, first entered the computer scene in 1995. It touted support for more than 20 languages, and tantalized users with Microsoft's global tagline, "Where do you want to go today?" Decades later, Internet Explorer remains one of the highest ranking web browsers of all time.
Within Internet Explorer lies Internet Options, a tool chest of features and options that allow the user to manipulate settings to specific preferences. These features are organized within tabs--these small graphical segments offer users a wealth of choices for a truly customized web browsing experience.
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The General Tab
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Within the General tab is, not surprisingly, general options for Internet Explorer. Within the Home Page section, you may enter the URL for your desired home page (the website that is first viewed when you open up Internet Explorer). The Browsing History allows you to delete temporary files such as browsing history, passwords, web form information and more; doing so empties your hard drive of extraneous files which provides more hard drive space. In this tab, you may also change the default browser search engine. The Tabs and Appearance sections allow you to customize your browser's tabs and alter components such as font style and color.
The Security Tab
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The Security Tab allows you to manage the security features for Internet Explorer. Here you may adjust the browser's various security options, such as setting restricted websites, configuring trusted websites, and setting security levels to allow or disallow such browser components as Active X and Javascript functions (some malicious websites utilize scripts such as Active X to surreptitiously infect computers). The "Custom Level" button allows you to specifically adjust the various settings to your preferences.
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The Privacy Tab
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The Privacy Tab window displays a slider bar that allows you to choose your preferred method of managing cookies. Cookies are tiny text files filled with information about the websites you visit. Some cookies may be read by websites to trace your browser surfing history for the purpose of targeting you with ads based on the websites you have visited. Internet Explorer gives you the ability to, with one broad sweep, manage all websites and their cookies similarly, or to manage them individually. The Privacy Tab also sports Pop-up Blocker settings. Here, you may choose to allow pop-ups from all websites, prohibit them, or manage each site on and individual basis.
The Content Tab
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Here, Internet Explorer offers a slew of options for managing websites and website information. Internet Explorer allows parents to control viewable Internet content with Parental Controls and Content Advisor. You may also view website certificates that display any encryption connections (such as SSL, a common encryption used by online banking websites). AutoComplete allows you to pre-enter web form data (such as your name, address, email, etc) to allow for easy web form completion later. Finally, the Feeds section provides options for managing syndicated website content for convenient reading with a feed reader.
The Connections Tab
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Internet Explorer automatically detects your Internet connection, but affords additional features for managing dial-up and VPN (Virtual Private Network) connections, as well. For most users, the Connections tab features are not utilized since Windows manages connections by default; however, dial-up users may use this section to manage multiple dial-up accounts.
The Programs Tab
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The Programs tab manages the various functions of the browser itself. The default web browser section allows you to configure Internet Explorer as the default browser (if Internet Explorer is your only web browser, then this is set by default). The manage add-ons section oversees those micro-software programs that work with your browser, such as toolbars and media players. Internet Explorer allows web developers to choose an HTML editor (such as Notepad) for the purpose of HTML editing and coding. Finally, the Internet programs sections is very helpful for selecting programs to use in conjunction with Internet Explorer, such a choosing an email program for the "Send email" feature within the web browser.
The Advanced Tab
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The Advanced Tab manages the technical workings of Internet Explorer that are not addressed in the other tabs. The options set forth in this section are in checklist form, for options regarding various accessibility features, particular browsing and security tweaks, international and multimedia settings, printing options, and much more. The button "Restore advanced settings" restores the settings in the Advanced tab to original factory settings. The button "Reset" restores the original settings for all the tabs. This is a helpful feature if changes wreak havoc on browser functionality, but will erase any customizations you have made.
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References
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