In the recent warning about a new vulnerability found in Microsoft’s famous browser, Internet Explorer, US and UK have pressed the panic button, alarming people not to use the browser.
The Zero-day exploits, which allowed attackers to hijack the browser and install malicious codes on your computer without your permission, were seen a few days ago. These exploits take advantage of the vulnerability found in Internet Explorer, the browser bundled with all Microsoft Windows operating systems. The security firm FireEye, which stumbled on the vulnerability issue, stated that it is a flash-based attack meant for defense organizations in the US. The attack is highly possible with Internet Explorer versions 9, 10 and 11.
The US and UK Governments have warned users about using the Internet Explorer browsers in the wake of the exploit. They warned not to use the browser until Microsoft fixes the issue and deploys the update patches.
How to turn Internet Explorer off
Depending on which version of Windows you're using, there are two ways that you can remove access to Internet Explorer.
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 users
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 include functionality that allows users to remove all the visible entry points to Internet Explorer and to set another browser as the default. Once access is removed and another browser is chosen as the default, all Internet Explorer icons and menu entries will be removed and Windows will no longer automatically launch Internet Explorer. However, it remains possible for apps and end users to directly invoke and launch Internet Explorer.
If you're a Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 user, click here for instructions on how to use this feature that allows you to remove access to Internet Explorer. If you're a Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 user, click here for instructions.
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 users only
Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 also include functionality that allows users to turn off Internet Explorer. If Internet Explorer is turned off, it's not available for use by any users on the computer and can't be launched for any reason, even if no other browser is available on the system. The program files to launch and use Internet Explorer are removed to a separate storage location as a backup copy so that a user can turn Internet Explorer back on if the user wishes to do so later.
When Internet Explorer is turned off using this feature there is minimal impact on third-party programs (and other parts of Windows itself) that call upon Internet Explorer app services, because the Internet Explorer files that provide functionality to third parties and other parts of Windows are left intact.
If you're a Windows 7 user, click here for instructions on how to use the feature that allows you to turn off Internet Explorer. If you're a Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1 user, click here for instructions.
