Disable Internet Options in Internet Explorer
Prevent Hackers and Viruses from Infecting Your Computer
Aug 10, 2009
The Internet Options control settings such as Security, Privacy, Certificate and Parental Controls, and Browser History in Internet Explorer. This option controls almost all behavior relating to the browser. An annoying virus can infect your computer and therefore alter these browser settings in a negative manner.
As a system administrator, it is also important that certain security restrictions are enabled on client computers. These restrictions ensure that users don’t create unwanted access, such has hacking, into company data. To create these restrictions, an administrator can disable internet options from the registry. Being comfortable and familiar with editing the registry is vital. The wrong changes could permanently cause irreversible computer problems.
Why Disable Internet Options
There are various reasons as to why it is sometimes important to disable internet options. From viruses to restricting access to users who log onto a community or company computer, it may be appropriate to turn off this option.
- Viruses and spyware can infect a computer and take control of the Internet Options menu. By doing so, browser specifications may be changed disallowing owners to control their own browser. Users are then directed to websites that are infected with malware and fake products that promise to get rid of this malware.
- Administrators of company or community computers may want to restrict access to users. It may be important to block access to users so that they cannot change settings of the computer or browser. In internet cafes where a fee is charged for usage, disabling Internet Options ensures that users aren’t able to alter settings in which the fee is bypassed and usage becomes free.
Disabling this option is simple and can be toggled on and off based on your needs.
Steps to Disable Internet Options
Follow the steps below to turn off Internet Options and protect your computer from unwanted viruses and prevent users from changing internet settings.
- Click the “Start” button from the desktop and type “regedit.exe” in the search box. This step applies to Windows Vista users. Users with previous versions such as Windows XP should choose “Start” and then click “Run” and type “regedit.exe.”
- Navigate to the key “My Computer / HKEY_CURRENT_USER / Software /Policies / Microsoft / Internet Explorer.” Navigate to the “Restrictions” key. If there is no “Restrictions” key, create it by right-clicking the mouse and selecting “New,” “Key,” and then renaming it appropriately.
- Create a new “DWORD” value by selecting the “Restrictions” folder and right-clicking the mouse and selecting “New,” and then “DWORD.” Name the DWORD value “NoBrowserOptions.” Right-click “NoBrowserOptions,” select “Modify” and assign a value of “1.”
- Restart Internet Explorer. Internet Options will now be disabled.
To enable Internet Options, assign the key “NoBrowserOptions” a value of “0.” If the computer is managed by an administrator with policy restrictions, editing the registry may not be available.
Having followed these steps, internet surfing can be done safely without the worry of viruses or users altering browser behavior.
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