Quick overview:
You start IE 7 (or 8) and notice the message "Protected mode" at the bottom of the screen.
In the last few days, we have received an increasing number of reader emails asking the question "What is that actually?" is asked. Windows-Tweaks has the answer: In Windows Vista, Internet Explorer 7 has the so-called protected mode. This prevents IE from operating with administrator rights and thus accessing critical areas of the system. Internet Explorer still cannot install scripts such as spyware or "browser helper objects" unnoticed, as the user account control is triggered and only asks for explicit permission.
At the same time, IE7 has virtualization technology: as soon as an add-on performs a file or registry operation, virtual folders are created in the file system or registry and the operations are redirected to these completely secure folders. For example, there are folders called "%userprofile%" or registration paths called "HKEY_CURRENT_USERExplorer35–663–3435–14" instead of the original key "HKEY_CURRENT_USER". All dangerous data is stored in virtual folders/keys that are isolated from the system. They cannot harm anyone there! If you switch off this protected mode, you are putting your system at risk.
Our advice: Check under "Extras/Internet options/Security"to see if there is a checkmark next to "Activate protected mode"!
Sincerely,
Sandro Villinger
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