One of the more annoying security problems I have faced recently is the online gimmick called Comet Cursor. Despite having 3rd party security software on the library's Internet workstations, patrons were still able to install Comet Cursor on the machines. I discovered that Comet Cursor was taking advantage of Internet Explorer's ability to install applications using ActiveX controls to bypass the workstation security. Fortunately, I found that Internet Explorer also gives you the ability to block the installation of Comet Cursor and other unwanted online applications. The following instructions explain how to do it specifically for Comet Cursor but you should be able to adapt if for other online annoyances!

STEP 1
From the menu bar, select Tools and Internet Options. Click on the tab labeled Security.

STEP 2
At the top of the Security panel is a box labeled "Select a Web content zone...". Click on the icon labeled Restricted sites.

STEP 3
This will display a new box underneath labeled Restricted sites. Click on the button labeled Sites... to open a new panel labeled Restricted sites.

STEP 4
In the box labeled Add this web site to the zone, enter the following domain name: cometsystems.com.

STEP 5
Click on the button labeled Add. *.cometsystems.com should now appear in the box labeled Web sites. In Internet Explorer 6, you may need to add the *. (wildcard) character as part of the domain name.

STEP 6
Click OK once to return back to the main Security panel. Make sure that Restricted Sites is still highlighted.

STEP 7
In the box below labeled Security level for this zone, click on the button labeled Custom Level. .

STEP 8
Check the first setting in the Security Settings panel and make sure that the setting for Download signed ActiveX controls is checked for Disable. If it is set to Enable or Prompt, change it to Disable.

STEP 9
Click on the OK boxes until you return back to Internet Explorer. You can now test your settings by browsing to http://www.cometcursor.com/. Click on the Download button to start the installation of Comet Cursor. If you have configured your settings properly, you should get the following message:

This prevents patrons from installing Comet Cursor.

If you do not see this message, close Internet Explorer and start IE again to ensure that the settings have taken effect.

Uninstalling Comet Cursor
If you already have Comet Cursor installed, on Windows 95, 98, ME, NT. 2000 and XP, go to your Start Menu - Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs and select Comet Cursor to uninstall. You may need to uninstall multiple components of Comet Cursor. Also, you may be prompted to reboot your computer to complete the uninstall process.

Related Resources
• Privacy Power! and Comet Cursor - In-depth examination of Comet Cursor's privacy issues.

Written by Andrew Mutch.
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Last Updated April 8, 2002.
This page was created on December 11, 2000.