There’s no surprise that, according to FBI reports, IE7 heads the list of top Internet security attack targets. The main reason for that is that IE7 is the most widely used browser. Also, it relies on Microsoft’s ActiveX feature, which permits executable applications to run on a PC via your browser. You can minimize the risk by keeping your PC updated, whether you are running Win XP or Vista, but the best way to eliminate this risk is simply to disabled ActiveX.
Here’s how:
Open IE7 > select Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > scroll to 'Run ActiveX controls and plug-ins' > select Disable > click OK
If you want to enable ActiveX to your favorite/trusted site: Open IE7 > click Tools > Internet Options > Security > select Trusted Sites > click Sites > enter site’s address in the text box > click Add > uncheck ‘Require server verification (
https://) for all sites in this zone” > click close and OK.
You can also use another browser, like Firefox or Opera, as your default browser; however, the popularity of Firefox has allured hackers to take advantage of its flaws as well. While no browser can be 100% secure, the majority of security experts believe that Opera is safer than IE or Firefox, but, I’m sure hackers will look for its flaws as well.