Secure IE Cons Outweigh Pros | eWeek

Secure IE Cons Outweigh Pros

Written By
Jim Rapoza
Jim Rapoza
Jan 20, 2003
1 minute read
eWeek content and product recommendations are editorially independent. We may make money when you click on links to our partners. Learn More

Secure IE is a small Windows utility that attempts to make using Microsofts Internet Explorer browser easier and more secure—and some would say that IE could use a lot more security.

The $29.95 Secure IE 3.1, from Winferno Software, is not a browser plug-in but, instead, is a complete shell replacement, changing and taking over much of the browser interface. Among the features added by Secure IE are pop-up and Flash animation blocking, as well as a simplified right-click menu option for assigning Web sites to the proper IE security zones (such as trusted or restricted).

Secure IE includes other useful features such as tabbed browsing, highlighting and sticky notes and a File Transfer Manager to handle downloads that also integrates with anti-virus software on a system.

Unfortunately, although I liked some of these additional features, I didnt like the fact that Secure IE basically removes and cripples much of the usability and customization that IE users have come to expect. The tool bars in Secure IE are pretty much static, without the easy right-click button customization IE has. And if you want to access the standard IE options, you need to delve four mouse-clicks down just to get to the IE options window.

For me, the negatives outweigh the positives, but for those who are interested in the features provided by Secure IE, a trial version can be downloaded at www.secureie.com.

eWeek Logo

eWeek has the latest technology news and analysis, buying guides, and product reviews for IT professionals and technology buyers. The site's focus is on innovative solutions and covering in-depth technical content. eWeek stays on the cutting edge of technology news and IT trends through interviews and expert analysis. Gain insight from top innovators and thought leaders in the fields of IT, business, enterprise software, startups, and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.