Secure IE Cons Outweigh Pros

Written By
Jim Rapoza
Jim Rapoza
Published: Jan 20, 2003
Updated: Feb 2, 2021
1 minute read
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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.

Jim Rapoza

Jim Rapoza, Chief Technology Analyst, eWEEK.For nearly fifteen years, Jim Rapoza has evaluated products and technologies in almost every technology category for eWEEK. Mr Rapoza's current technology focus is on all categories of emerging information technology though he continues to focus on core technology areas that include: content management systems, portal applications, Web publishing tools and security. Mr. Rapoza has coordinated several evaluations at enterprise organizations, including USA Today and The Prudential, to measure the capability of products and services under real-world conditions and against real-world criteria. Jim Rapoza's award-winning weekly column, Tech Directions, delves into all areas of technologies and the challenges of managing and deploying technology today.

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