Are Internet Explorer add-ons safe?
Last week we released the newest version of the Microsoft
web browser, Internet
Explorer 9. With this new version we also
introduce the Add-on
Performance Advisor which helps keep you safe from add-ons
that might slow down your browser.
Internet Explorer 9 is free. Download
it now.
Web browser add-ons are pretty much what they sound like.
They’re features that you can add on
to your browser to make it faster, more efficient, or just more fun. In
Internet Explorer 9 if an add-on is slowing down your web browsing experience,
you’ll see a warning in the notification bar that tells you how to disable the
add-on or fix the problem.
In Internet Explorer 9 you can see the add-ons that you already
have installed by clicking the gear icon, and then clicking Manage Add-ons.
Some examples of add-ons are:
- Accelerators
that let you select a word on a website to get the dictionary definition - Extra
toolbars to help you search faster - Animated
mouse pointers - Stock
tickers - Pop-up
ad blockers
See more add-ons at the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery.
As with any other software download, there is a risk that an
add-on might include malicious software. So before you download a new add-on,
consider whether the increase in speed, efficiency, and fun is worth that risk.
To help protect yourself against dangerous add-ons:
- Download
software from a site that you trust, such as the Internet Explorer Add-ons Gallery.
- Use
a firewall. - Use
automatic
updating to keep your operating system
up-to-date. And don’t forget to turn on automatic updating for the add-on
itself. If that’s not an option, then check for updates periodically from
the publisher. - Use
antivirus software and antispyware software such as Microsoft Security Essentials and keep it
updated.
For more information:
-
What
is an ActiveX control? -
Protect
yourself when you use ActiveX controls -
Why
does Internet Explorer block some ActiveX controls?
