Windows XP Service Pack 2 Changes
that affect download behavior
in Internet Explorer

By B. Robert

EBAY

ARTICLES

HOME BASED BIZ

Windows XP SP 2 Changes affect downloading
in Internet Explorer....

What are those Changes that affect downloads?

Service Pack 2 Security Changes Now Affecting Internet Explorer...

Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP is a positive enhancement. However, it now means some things are working differently with these new security features installed. While some aspects are positive, you will also experience difficulty in some areas. Not all executions and processes in IE function as seamlessly as they did before SP2.

Internet Explorer now has an Information Bar.

The Information Bar appears below the Internet Explorer toolbar and contains popup text that displays when IE sees (or thinks it sees) a potential problem with the procedure.

Below you will find details on the affects of the enhanced security implemented:

A user must now approve each download
Approving the download
Opening, Running or Saving a File Downloaded
Internet Explorer now has a Pop-up Blocker

A user must now approve each download.

Internet Explorer no longer automatically downloads and installs software but is now blocked. This enhanced feature is a user-download control and it affects email attachments and PDF files also.

When you download a file from the Internet, the The Information Bar will enable a security popup message as seen below:

Approving the download

If and when you approve the download, or if and when you click on the text that downloads the software to your computer, a Security Warning displays.

Running or Saving a File Downloaded

Once you have downloaded the software, a security warning will appear asking if you want to Run or Save the file. Any attempt to download software from the Internet will Display a popup 'File Download - Security Warning' window that this software has not been verified by the company that claims to have published it. You then have the option to RUN or SAVE or CANCEL the software download. if you are confident that the software is legitimate, you can proceed with your options

Internet Explorer now has a Pop-up Blocker

Internet Explorer now has a pop-up blocker that tries to automatically block as many pop-ups as possible. The Pop-up Blocker attempts to protect your computer operations from pop-ups and potentially harmful viruses. The Pop-Up Blocker options you can modify are: about the Information Bar, show the Information Bar, hide the Information Bar, view blocked Pop-ups, adjust settings for the Pop-up Blocker, and turn off Pop-up Blocker.

NOTE: If you have installed other pop-up blocking software (e.g., Google, MSN, Yahoo, etc.), it is recommended that you turn off Internet Explorer's Pop-up Blocker in either the add-on toolbar or in Internet Explorer.

From the Tools menu, select Pop-up Blocker » Turn Off Pop-up Blocker

About the Information Bar

The first time you visit a site that generates pop-ups, you will see the Information Bar informing you about blocking pop-ups. If you prefer not to see the same warning every time you open a new website, follow these instructions.

What are the Windows XP SP 2 Changes that affect download in IE ?
Windows XP Service Pack 2 introduces some very important security modifications. These changes are said to act as newly designed enhancements to protect the user (me and you) from malicious sites, viruses, email worms and many other potential and harmful trojans. Microsoft©, introduced an enhanced download control for Internet Explorer. This is designed to protect novice users from automatic download prompting. Many companies, developers and programmers, and surfers use automatic download prompting (its a auto setting) when downloading pages. This causes a download dialog to appear without the need for an additional click. This new feature is directly affected by the SP2 security enhancement changes. Instead of the download prompt you will see a notice in the new IE information bar. This Notice requires the user to click for options before the download will start.

See the example below:

infobar

You have the option to either accept or cancel. Either way this feature becomes an inconvenience and nuisance because the user must click the Information bar Notice each time to start a download.

There is an alternative to Clicking the ("click here for options...") link each time you download software. This feature can disabled in Internet Explorer.

Instructions to disable this new feature are:

There are 2 ways to turn this environmental (behavior) feature OFF. If you download only once in a while or occasionally; or you are a novice user, then you probably should leave this feature ON. The reason you might want to leave the feature on is because it can prevent malicious web sites from popping up downloading prompts that you have never requested as downloads. Additionally, it will prevent a user from accepting any downloads by mistake or an accident.

The information below is provided for your knowledge and does not suggest you follow the instructions to disable the or enable the feature. It is not a recommendation either. The information is detailed for your awareness and further understanding to make any decisions regarding the enabling or disabling of this feature that has been introduced in the newer versions of Windows XP and Internet Explorer.

What I believe to be important is that this feature was added without the explanation and option to disable or disable with a full understanding of what changes have been included. All users should be made aware of the options they have available when new features are being introduced into software.

Option 1:

Enable automatic download prompts in Internet Explorer (Disabled by default)
This method will turn OFF the security feature and all file downloads will occur without Notice in the same way as before.

Go to Internet Explorer > Tools > Internet Settings.

Please see the screenshots below for instructions

Option 2:

Add http://www.information-mart.com (or which ever url site in question for example: http://www.brendarobert.com ) to your list of trusted sites.

This will effect the security settings only for the specified URL Websites added as Trusted Sites and displayed in the Dialog Window for Site Additions to be trusted and accessible.

The above information is provided for your knowledge and awareness and does not suggest or recommend you follow the steps displayed above in either Option 1 illustration to disable or enable this security feature or in Option 2 illustration to add or remove and trusted websites to Internet Explorer features...

The information is detailed for your further understanding to make referenced decisions regarding the addition of Trusted Sites and its Options available in Windows XP and Internet Explorer.

It is important that newly added features should have explanation and options for the users full understanding.

All users should be made aware of the options available in the functionality of the software they are using. Especially, when new features are added or removed and changes occur which the user should fully comprehend what it is they are doing and why they are doing the step, process or procedure.

If you have questions you can contact us at http://www.performingsys.com