Chapter Summary
- Internet Explorer is one of the most important tools in Windows Vista because it provides users access to Web applications and the Internet. Therefore, it’s vital that you know how to configure Internet Explorer and troubleshoot common problems. Historically, many users have experienced problems with add-ons, which extend Internet Explorer’s capabilities but also have the potential to behave unreliably or maliciously. Fortunately, Internet Explorer gives administrators complete control over which add-ons can be installed, as well as the capability to quickly start Internet Explorer without any add-ons. To reduce security risks when using Internet Explorer, Protected Mode runs Internet Explorer with minimal privileges. If a webpage, Internet Explorer, an add-on, or any process launched from within Internet Explorer requires elevated privileges, the elevation must be approved before Internet Explorer can take action. To provide privacy and authentication, many websites use SSL certificates. Therefore, it’s vital that you understand the causes of common certificate problems and how to fix these problems.
- Over time, computers can become less secure because attackers might discover new vulnerabilities. To maintain the security of your computers, you must regularly install updates. Microsoft provides several techniques for distributing updates throughout an organization. You should be familiar with these techniques, as well as the tools for troubleshooting problems deploying updates.
- To reduce the risk of potentially unwanted software, Windows Defender prompts users when some types of software attempt to make changes. Users can then choose to allow or block a change. To avoid compatibility problems, you should test applications with Windows Defender enabled and configure Windows Defender to ignore changes made by the applications your users require.
- Windows Installer makes it much simpler to install programs on Windows Vista. Most programs include a Windows Installer package in an .MSI file. With this .MSI file, you can manually install it just like a standard Setup.exe file, you can distribute it using Group Policy software distribution, or you can install it using the MsiExec.exe command-line tool. Applications use environment variables to determine computer settings such as the user’s home directory, the location of system files, and where temporary files should be stored.
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