BIG problems with security (?) settings in IE7

Hey guys.

I was with a client this morning and became absolutely confounded by her web browser's behavior.

She has an HP laptop, AMD processor (didn't get exact specs, but it's only a year or two old) and Win Vista, with IE 7.

I tried to download Google SketchUp for her to try, since she is a designer.

I couldn't get it to download. I'd click the "Agree and download" button, and NOTHING would happen; no little pop-up info bar asking me if I was sure it was safe to download, NOTHING. Of course I tried multiple times.

"Well, obviously this is an issue with stupid old IE," I thought, so I tried to download Google chrome, and again was absolutely unable to do so. Clicking the "download" button on Google's Chrome site produced ZERO results. Again, tried this multiple times.

I tried to download Firefox, and IE wouldn't even fully render the page; on FF's homepage, there is a big "Free Download" button, and Internet Explorer would NOT display it, so I was unable to download Firefox either.

I went into the Internet Options and security settings and dropped them down as low as I could. I also noticed that most of the "Custom Level" security settings were disabled, so I enabled virtually all of them, and after this I WAS finally able to download Google Sketchup.

Here's the really odd part: I just looked at the settings on MY IE 8 (I never use it, only Chrome) and my settings appear to be virtually identical to the way my clients settings were before I changed them, yet I have no problems downloading anything thru Internet Explorer.


NOW, whenever she opens IE, instead of her Yahoo homepage displaying, IE says that security features are disabled and it is not safe to browse the internet the way that IE is currently configured.

What gives and why is IE7 on her computer giving me so much heartburn?????

 

What about installing IE8? - You are using an outdated and pretty vulnerable browser...

And try Malwarebytes for a malware scan first.

 

IE8 occurred to me.

Her computer didn't even have SP2 installed, so I installed it hoping it would also install IE8, but it didn't.....

 

IE8 is a separate installation - maybe also try malwarebytes just in case.
(and I'm off to bed now)

 

Gotcha. I'll try installing it the next time I see her in a couple weeks.

Thanks for the help, still open to other suggestions from anyone else.

 

try Windows update to get IE8 and SP3

 

Her machine is running Vista, and I believe they only went up to SP2 so far, XP was SP3, right?

 

Put the installation of Chrome into a USB drive and install on her machine. I don't know about IE problem tho, probably caused by malware. Try upgrade to IE 8 too.

 

I would back up the important files and reinstall Windows completely as there's probably malware. I would set the Windows update to the recommended setting as well.

 

Use the "Nuke it and start over" button: Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > Reset.

I'd also recommend installing all updates.

 

Vista Only went to SP2 so far

Chrome... shudder...
I wouldn't use it if I were paid to do so....
(Google's data mining habits)

Possibly the safest option, but not always possible.

Good point after running a scan with malwarebytest that should take of any potentially changed settings.

Clearing out temp files with CCleaner could be a good idea too - although malwarebytes should scan them for malware too.

 

That's right, sorry. However, it sounds like they didn't do any updates. Possibly your problem there.

 

That's exactly what I'd do. Set ALL settings and options to default.