As the world’s most popular web browser, Microsoft’s Internet Explorer is used by over 80% of users on the Internet. This puts it way out in front of every other browser, but it also means that the software is required to reach out to the newest and obscurest of technologies.

While Internet Explorer is certainly the most popular, it’s not always the most reliable browser on the market. Each browser is different, and we’re going to look at some of the problems you could face while using Microsoft’s popular interface.

The biggest issue, and the source of most criticism directed at Internet Explorer, involves the danger of infecting your system through spyware and adware. There is no absolute way of eliminating malicious content from the web, but Internet Explorer is somewhat exposed to the dangers, more so than its rivals. This is due to the way that the program is structured, making it easier for hackers to attack your system.

It’s quite common to find the browser lagging - or even not working at all, after enabling an ActiveX control which isn’t as it seems. Whenever you load an ActiveX control in Internet Explorer, you’ll be given a warning about the content. It could seem completely innocuous, but after accepting, it’s possible for a malicious user to execute a “drive-by download” and effectively spam your computer without you so much as batting an eyelid.

Yes, this is still possible using Mozilla Firefox or any other browser. The difference is that Microsoft’s product is much more discrete about letting you know that you have a problem. Sometimes it won’t even tell you at all. The only way you’ll know for sure is by running a scan of your computer, or by using good ol’ common sense when the browser freezes up or overflows in third party advertisements.

A good spyware removal utility should clear up any issues related to the third party corruption of your browser, and believe us, there can be many. If you’ve been browsing the Net for a month without sufficient anti-Virus protection, the chances are that you’re harbouring some kind of malicious content.

It’s also good practice to delete your temporary Internet files on a regular basis. Every time you visit a website, a cookie is downloaded on to your computer. As you allow these to mount up, they can clog the system and ruin what was once a fresh browsing experience. They’re also very important when it comes to maintaining privacy in the websites that you’ve accessed.

Sometimes you’ll access websites and click on links which fail to load. This isn’t usually a trait of Internet Explorer, but of a toolbar that’s attached to it. Check to ensure that you have pop-ups enabled, since some sites will use the target=”_blank” key to open a page in a new window.

Other problems such as failed applets and scripting malfunctions can often be a sign that you’re Internet Options have been adjusted. Try going to Tools then Internet Options and under the access permissions, make sure that the three scripting boxes are checked. If they’re not, JavaScript will not run in the browser. This, as you can probably imagine if you have a web background, can cause a lot of difficulties.

With the release of Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, many of the security issues have been taken care of. But that’s not to say we should neglect the likelihood of opportunist attacks on the web. Be sure to browse safely with anti-Virus protection and clean your system regularly.

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“A Runtime Error has occurred. Do you wish to Debug?”

If you have been receiving this message while browsing the Web, it’s likely that you’re suffering from scripting errors caused by configuration options or malicious malware.

Runtime errors can arise out of many things. Maybe you have a pop up blocker installed. When a window opens to execute a script, the pop-up blocker terminates the script before it can complete its command. This leads to what is known as a runtime error.

With every runtime error, you’ll have the chance to debug where the problem is in the code. Of course, as a casual web browser, this isn’t really any of our business. So instead we end up clicking through “OK” messages until the alerts disappear. As such, it can take several clicks to load a single page!

Another problem involves the configuration of anti-Virus software. While it’s certainly advisable to browse with protection, always make sure that you have the right permission levels within the application. If you switch off scripting, you’re likely to get quite a few runtime errors. It’s also important that your anti-Virus suite is configured NOT to scan the Temporary Internet Files. This can lead to all kinds of problems.

Some people find themselves flooded with annoying runtime errors, yet the website itself seems to function properly. To fix this, follow the steps below.

• Go to Tools and Internet Options in Microsoft Internet Exporer
• Click on the Advanced Settings.
• Disable script debugging.
• Disable the script error notification box.
• Save changes and relaunch your browser

This will prevent reports of errors being returned when you load a page. Note that it won’t prevent the actual collision. But you won’t have to click OK several times before a page actually loads.

It’s possible that runtime errors are the result of a spyware infestation. Many malicious users design software which sits under the browser and springs up pop-ups. Due to the rough cut nature of most malwares, they can lead to an unhealthy number of errors. Ultimately, they’re not designed with the end user in mind and in desperation to blitz your browser with third party ads; you’ll be fighting off many errors.

To deal with spyware, there are many excellent free system cleaning utilities available on the market. These will tear through your computer and eliminate the bad apples. They’ll also clean the registry and improve the overall performance of your computer. Most runtime errors are born from collisions with the code. If you’re getting them persistently on reputable websites, the problem is most likely spyware or a spreading virus.

It’s not out of the question, however, that the runtime error is the fault of the developer who created the page. Programming languages aren’t a walk in the park by any means and there is plenty of scope for errors. If the site is using bad code, there’s nothing you can do other than to find a different website. You can eliminate the error reporting however, as we mentioned above, and this is often enough to make a website usable.

You can usually tell when the problem is on the part of the developer. If the errors are occurring on innocuous websites designed for the masses, it’s likely a fault at your own end. Remember that most reputable businesses and organizations are forced to design tidy code that won’t clash with pop-up blockers and anti-Virus software. Still having problems? Remember the three most likely reasons;

• Spyware
• Pop-up blockers and anti-Virus software
• Script configuration settings in Internet Options

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I would like to address several  issues relating to Microsoft Windows
stability. Though this issue may not be so crucial for users of
home computers, for people who use their computer in the course of
their work, there are some important things to know about Windows
stability. Here are the most important methods to keep your
computer functioning properly.

First of all, there are three programs which are most important for
the stability of your system. First and foremost is a virus
scanner. Viruses can attack anything that runs software on it, even
mobile phones. Viruses may be transmitted through email
attachments, through websites, software programs, through media
such as CDs, zip disks, diskettes, etc. At the beginning, many
viruses originated from Eastern Bloc countries. Perhaps in the
future terrorists may chose viruses as a favored mode of operation.

If your Internet browser seems to be slowing down, your browser
homepage changes of its own and you can’t change it back, icons
you’ve never seen before start appearing on your desktop, these may
all be signs that you’ve been hit by spyware or adware. These are
little programs which are placed on your system by advertising
companies or hackers. The programs enter your system via emails,
music downloads, instant messages, or even by browsing the
Internet. As an indication of how large the problem has become,
Dell has reported that close to 20% of their technical support is
caused due to spyware or adware.

A firewall is an important protection against this menace, and can
be composed of hardware, software or both. A firewall serves as a
partition, protecting your computer from the outside world, be it the
Internet, a network or Intranet. Windows XP users already have this
option which is automatically deployed on the system (verify that
Service Pack 2 is installed, as this ensures that the firewall is implemented
properly). Users of earlier Windows versions can purchase or
download for free software equivalent firewall programs.

Another important step is to periodically perform maintenance on
your system, which helps in the prevention of problems over time.
Luckily, Windows already has some of these tools, which saves on
having to purchase or download them. At Accessories > System Tools,
you can find the Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter, two
applications which help keep your system functioning properly.
These tasks should be carried out at least once a month (dependant
on usage).

Another important pointer, that many computer “wizards” neglect, is
to make sure that you are only installing such programs on your
computer which you absolutely need. Too many programs on the
systems will cause Windows to become unstable. Even after
uninstalling a program, some leftovers on the system can prove
hazardous to it over time. The KISS rule (Keep it simple, stupid),
is definitely a good tactic when using Windows. So don’t be too
quick to install all kinds of questionable tools you may not really
need.

Also important is to remember to update your systems periodically.
Updates for Windows as well as for other Microsoft applications
appear regularly on the Microsoft website. It’s possible to
configure your system to perform these updates automatically, but
this may also be the cause of serious problems. Some people have
woken up to find that after their system automatically updated, it
actually became completely corrupted while they were sleeping.
Though this may happen for systems which were already unstable to
begin with, such stories are enough to make you want to update your
system manually. Whichever way you chose, don’t forget to carry out
this important process.

A final point is related to your hardware. I am a staunch supporter
of keeping your PC on at all times. To do so, your computer must be
equipped with surge protectors against electrical anomalies, and
also have a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). It must also have
excellent security systems installed. However, you will see that
your hardware, including the hard drive, will last longer if it is
kept on, than if you keep turning your computer off. Though some
may say that the newer technologies enable turning the computer off
at night, my experience shows that this is not the case. It is
similar to a light bulb, which is much more prone to failure when
it is being turned on than during constant use. This is because of
the initial power surge that occurs when power is initially applied.

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Nowadays, computers have become so common that most households
possess at least one of them. A stand-alone computer in itself does
not pose any security threat to the individual using it. However,
once connected to the Internet, each computer becomes a door which
any identity thief or hacker may use in order to take advantage of
the pandemonium of the World Wide Web. In an effort to protect
users from the aggravation caused by viruses, spyware, pop-ups and
spam, software companies have developed various measures aimed at
improving computer security.

Anti-virus software is the predominant development in this field.
McAfee and Norton are the two major companies offering such
anti-virus software, which actually searches through the files on a
computer in order to see if they contain certain characteristics
which could be viruses, or which are often associated with viruses.
The characteristics, known as virus definitions, need to be
regularly downloaded. In addition to files on the computer itself,
e-mails as well as files on CDs and floppy discs should be scanned.
It has already been accepted as an axiom, that anti- virus software
is absolutely essential for computer security.

Software aimed at scanning for spyware comes next. Spyware are
programs that certain websites run in the background of the
computer while gathering data about it. This data could be
relatively harmless information such as finding out what kind of
websites the computer owner visits, but it could also go so far as
acquiring passwords. In any case, spyware usually deteriorates
computer performance drastically and must be removed from the
computer. Ad-ware and Spybot Search & Destroy are popular
software used for this purpose, but they don’t cover all threats.

Furthermore, spam filters and pop-up blockers are also of critical
importance. Spam and pop-ups are serious nuisances to the user, but
worse, they are often the vehicles that sypware scanning software
(as previously explained) use to enter the computer. They also
negatively affect computer performance. An irritated computer user
is more prone to making a security faux pas than a calm one!
There are several more actions computer owners should take to
ensure their computer and information remains their own private
property, in addition to the software options previously mentioned.
As much information as possible should be secured via passwords,
and passwords should be complex enough to make them hard to guess -
the user’s name, spouse name or birth date are not good passwords.It is also strongly recommended not to check bank statements when
using an unsecured wireless network, since these networks enable
numerous people to use them simultaneously. It’s important to
remember that hackers spend a lot of time and effort trying to
access information, and users have to keep up to speed if they want
to keep their information secure!

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