How to increase Internet Explorer security settings to protect your computer

In light of the recent Internet attacks, you should increase the security level for Internet browsers. The following instructions will allow you to increase the security setting for the “Internet” zone to the “High” setting and still utilize the SWP ordering system.

The changes described below can affect any software running on your computer. Please consult with your local technical group before making changes to computer configurations.

These instructions will detail the steps that are needed to set browser security to “High” and to enter the cnp.alsde.edu web site into the “Trusted Sites” zone so that the ordering system will function correctly.

Step 1.  Set Your Browser Security to “High”.
To raise the security level at which you browse the Web with Internet Explorer:

1.  On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.  In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab and then click the Internet icon.
3.  Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to “High”. This sets the security level for all Web sites you visit to “High”. (If no slider is visible, click the Default Level button and then move the slider to “High”.)

Note:  The “High” setting will cause some Web sites to work improperly, including the cnp.alsde.edu site. If you have difficulty using a Web site after you change this setting and you are sure the site is safe to use, you can add that site to your list of trusted sites. This will allow the site to work properly with the “High” security setting in place.

Step 2.  Add Safe Web Sites to “Trusted Sites”.
Important:  Microsoft strongly recommends that the first Web site you add to your trusted sites be Windows Update (http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com) so that you can continue to install important software updates directly from the Windows Update Web site.

To add a Web site to your list of trusted sites:

1.  On the Internet Explorer Tools menu, click Internet Options.
2.  In the Internet Options dialog box, click the Security tab.
3.  Click the Trusted sites icon, and then click the Sites button (on the left).
In the Trusted sites dialog box, enter the Web site URL in the Add this Web site to the zone box, and then click Add. The Trusted sites feature allows you to restrict trust to only sites that begin with “https:”. To include sites that begin with “http:”, including Windows Update, clear the “Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone” checkbox.

You should enter at least 2 sites:
1.  http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
2.  https://cnp.alsde.edu
3.  If you intend to use an unsecured access to the information portions of the CNP web site you must also add http://cnp.alsde.edu to the list.


4.  Click OK.
5.  Under Security level for this zone, move the slider to Medium. This sets the security level for all of the sites that you trust to Medium. (If no slider is visible, click the Default Level button and then move the slider up to Medium.)