How to add Internet Explorer security zones

Internet Explorer (IE) lets you segregate visited sites and intranet locations into different security zones, each of which can be handled differently as needed. By default, Internet Explorer has five security zones: My Computer, Internet, Local Intranet, Trusted Sites and Restricted Sites. Sometimes having only five levels of granularity isn't enough, and you may want to add more levels for finer control over content.

Internet Explorer security zones are not fixed in stone; they are controlled through the Registry and can be customized to a degree. Adding a new zone actually isn't that difficult, although you do need to make sure you're not damaging or overwriting an existing one. The new zone, like other zones, can be attributed to specific s

Digg This!     StumbleUpon     Del.icio.us

RELATED CONTENT Security for the midmarket Locking down security in the move to electronic medical records A CIO's advice for implementing single sign-on solutions Options for outsourcing security grow, offer IT budget savings Network access control: Pointers for getting the knack of NAC Stopping malware viruses from attacking Web 2.0 technology Virtual servers no escape from IT security management concerns Unified communications: Securing access to OCS Unified communications security: How safe is it? Risk assessment frameworks easy to employ Midmarket regulatory compliance management: Don't let your guard down Security tools for the midmarket IT security spending a bright spot in '09, with more growth predicted Security and risk management in the midmarket Identity and access management planning guide for the midmarket A CIO's advice for implementing single sign-on solutions Options for outsourcing security grow, offer IT budget savings Network access control: Pointers for getting the knack of NAC Unified communications: Securing access to OCS Unified communications security: How safe is it? Database security: Who should have access? San Francisco network lockup justifies CIO fears

RELATED RESOURCES 2020software.com, trial software downloads for accounting software, ERP software, CRM software and business software systems Search Bitpipe.com for the latest white papers and business webcasts Whatis.com, the online computer dictionary

ites and have its own set of restrictions or allowances.

To create a new Internet Explorer security zone, open the Registry and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones. Inside Zones are five subkeys, labeled 0-4, each of which holds the settings for the different IE security zones. Right-click on 2 (Trusted Sites) and export it to a .REG file. Edit the .REG file in Notepad (or another text editor) and modify the following:

Save the .REG file and double-click it to add it to the Registry, then reboot. You should see a new icon in the Security tab for Internet Properties that corresponds to the new zone. Then, just set sites and security properties for it.

Serdar Yegulalp is editor of "The Windows Power Users Newsletter."