Internet Explorer Settings
This page was written for Internet Explorer 6, which is a dangerous browser and is no longer supported. However the settings options remain basically the same in all versions of IE. Microsoft sometimes changes the locations and names but the settings remain pretty much the same.
If you are still using Internet Explorer 6, I urge you to update IE at once!
This section of Internet Options is where the Security level is set. The higher the level of security that is set, then it will be more restricted surfing the net. Try to establish a secure setting, but still have flexibility in visiting web sites.
Zones include: The Internet, your Intranet if you have one, Trusted sites and Restricted sites. Unless you are on a Company server, you are not likely to have an Intranet zone. I am concentrating here on the Internet Zone, Trusted sites and Restricted sites.
In Internet Explorer, go to Tools/Internet Options and click on the Security tab. Then select Custom level to set your security options.
Privacy Settings (Cookies)
Privacy Settings are what Microsoft is now calling cookies. Cookies have an underserved bad rap due to a few tacky sites that use so called 'tracking' cookies. For the most part they are harmless and may help with logins on some sites. Cookies are required by many websites including online banking sites. Here's how to override the default setting for cookies.
Again, in Internet Explorer select Tools/Options. Then click the Privacy tab. To override the default level for cookies, click the Advanced button. Now to be sure you can visit sites that require cookies, set the Advanced Privacy settings. There are some sites that you may not want to put a cookie on your computer. You can block (or allow) those sites by clicking on the Sites button under the Privacy tab.
You can make other changes by going to Tools/Internet Options/and click the Advanced tab.