How to Remove Internet Explorer

[Kye-U]

http://crackbaby.com/article.php?sid=10093

The following article does not necessarily reflect the opinion either of the Forum Administration nor of individual Forum members. Use discretion. Removing Internet Explorer will NOT necessarily make your system safer.

Crackbaby.com Wrote:Ok, this story is for you geeks out there that actually know what you are doing. It requires editing of your registry and should not be done by anyone who doesn't know what they are doing.

This will effectively neuter IE on your system and divert all shell calls to IE to your alternative browser. Read on for details...



The other day I brought alot of your attention to the an exploit being used with the SCOB exploit that causes hackers to be able to execute arbitrary code on your system. This is the exploit that caused every security agency including CERT and homeland security to say 'dump IE'. I called Microsoft tech support and called and called and no one knew how to disable Internet Explorer or would even help me to do it without badgering; even then, they couldn't figure out how to do it. This is why they get paid the big bucks. So I decided to see if I couldn't figure it out myself.

Since you cannot remove IE from the OS, you have to disable it in some way or make it so that it can't be accessed via shell (not going to happen). Well after some experimentation of my own and reading through the registry diligently, I have your answer:

1. If you do not have IE 6 installed on your machine, install it using Microsoft Update. Reboot
2. Go to add/remove programs in control panel. Remove IE. Reboot.
3. after reboot it will ask if you want to get rid of your settings. Just say yes or else it will ask indefinitely.
4. Backup your registry
5. Do a search through the registry for 'iexplore.exe' and 'url.dll'. Replacing HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT instances of these two with the path to your alternative browser seems to do the trick. I now have all my other Microsoft apps that would normally call IE, now calling Firefox.

For instance, I have Mozilla Firefox as my alternate browser so I replace with the following:

open/command -> C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "%1"
DefaultIcon -> C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE,1

If you don't have a good registry editing tool, I suggest JV16 Power Tools. A very good program for editing and cleaning the registry as well as several other nice tools. Plus it has a 30 day trial period enabling you to use it for this task though I do suggest purchasing since it's a great tool

After this is all done, it works beautifully and I haven't had a single problem. This is not a simple solution but it is effective. You may want to experiment a bit more by searching through the registry for instances of Iexplore and tweaking HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE as well but the above should take care of security concerns which is all we are worried about.

WINDOWS UPDATE PROBLEMS??? You may now notice the 'windows update' button in your start panel no longer works. Not a problem at all. You have two ways to now get your updates. Either through settings/control panel/automatic updates (at which points updates will appear in your systray) or via the URL http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/searc...laylang=en. I suggest the automatic update as that is easiest but keep the URL safe. You can change windows update so that instead of it pointing to the update executable, it will now point to the URL by right clicking on the link, choosing properties and then under target putting: C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE -url "http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/search.aspx?displaylang=en". However I suggest the automatic update option as it is far easier as saves you loads of time.

For those non-techies out there who don't feel up to this task, there is an easier way to avoid this problem... switch to Linux.

NOTE: I should also mention that because the system will always attempt to recreate IE, when it does using the default installed browser that is integrated into the system, do the following:

1. go to C:\Program Files\Internet Exporer and right click on Iexplore.exe
2. Go to properties/security (make sure you are logged in as admin of the machine)
3. Remove ALL permissions!

This will effectively make it so that the system cannot call the program and in alot of instance, I have found that if it cannot open Iexplore.exe, it will ask you for an alternative browser to use.

[Kye-U]

Working great, but I can't open my Inbox through MSN Messenger. No biggy though

I've renamed Internet Explorer to something else for security reasons.

Of course I can't fully get rid of it, I'm scared my Windows XP will go crazy...haha...

[Oddysey]

Kye-U;

I call Bulls**t! (Ladies and Gentlemen, may I have your attention please. Bulls**t has been called. Please take your seats, and remain seated until the dust has settled. Thank you.)

Not to bust your chops, my fine young friend, but did you notice that no one is listing the websites that are alleged to be infected? I mean, the news media comes right out and says "to become infected, one must visit a normally trustworthy site which has become infected", or words to that effect.

Now, to be sure, security and safety are paramount, no doubt of that. But still and all, I don't buy their Henny Penny-ish "The sky is falling! The sky is falling!". I need to see either direct proof, or corroboration of that fact. Translated, that means that I have to wonder why there is no listing of websites that are alleged to have been infected, and thereby are infecting their visitors. I mean nobody, spells out what sites can "get you". (I searched Google for 50 link's worth of references - no mention at all.) Lacking that damning bit of evidence, I don't see any corroboration of any sort - just drivel from fear-mongers and/or MS bashers.

Trust me, I don't care if idiots ruffle their feathers, so long as it doesn't affect me. But this time they are affecting me - that's why I'm writing this post. I can't just stand by and robotically let them further their personal agendas through you, and by extension, throught this forum. I implore you to ask yourself several questions whenever you see this kind of thing. The first few questions should almost always be: Where's the proof? Where's the corroborating evidence? Where's the smoking gun? After that, you might ask yourself: Assuming this is true, how does it impact me, and my forum members?

And don't forget, always look under the carpet to see what the promoter swept under it. In other words, ask the most obvious question: What does this person stand to gain by making these statements? What is his/her agenda? And from that, we get the default question, the one that will usually answer all other questions: Where's the money going?

I see the referee is coming out to tell me "Time!" Kye-U, please, consider what I said above. Thanks.

(Ladies and Gentlemen, your attention please. The dust has not yet fully settled. Should you choose to return to this forum, you may do so at your own risk. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. The Management.)


Oddysey

[Kye-U]

I don't really get what you're trying to say [unsure]

I know that this procedure may be risky. I'm not saying all members have to remove Internet Explorer, I just came upon that site.

My Windows Explorer still works fine, and I can install Security Updates through the Windows Update Service.

I understand when you say there is no evidence, but I rarely use Internet Explorer, so I found this article to be of some value.

Don't get your skirts in a tangle over this :P

[ProxRocks]

Oddysey Wrote:I call Bulls**t!

Lacking that damning bit of evidence, I don't see any corroboration of any sort - just drivel from fear-mongers and/or MS bashers...

AMEN! brother...

Couldn't have said it better myself...

[Oddysey]

Kye-U;

Tangled skirts aside (nice reference, BTW), what I'm in a dither about is the fact that somebody went to a lot of effort to stir up trouble where there is none. Or, at least, no evidence of any.

Let me illustrate my point with an example: If someone came up to you in the school hallway and said "I can guarantee you a 4.0 in History class this semester", would you believe them? Even if they were your best friend, wouldn't you be a least a little suspicious? I mean, the first thing you'd ask is "How can you do that?", right? You'd be wanting proof, unless I'm sadly mistaken about you.

It's the same deal here. Joker X comes along and says "I'll guarantee to make your browsing experience safer, all you need to do is remove IE." Do you just blindly accept his promise, and pray for serendipity? I hope not.

I could go on, but I get the feeling that if I simply bashed my head against the wall, it'd be more productive. I just wanted to point out that there was no proof, offered, inferred, referenced, or otherwise alluded to. Suck lack of proof is a big tell-tale sign for me, and strikes me as indicative of a personal agenda, that's all.

Sorry, but I always question someone's motive whenever I see or hear things like this. I'm keeping IE, and I guess that's the way the cookie will be stored on my machine for now.


Oddysey

[Kye-U]

I understand.

This is just a page with instructions on how to remove IE, if you WANT to.

If you have any use of IE, then you'd know that you shouldn't follow this guide.

It's like your appendix. Well, it's not useless (IE), but it is to some people (like me), and you'd want to remove it before you get appendicitis (some vulnerabilities use the IE engine. IE does not have to be open in order for it to function).

I'm sorry if this topic rubbed you the wrong way.

[Oddysey]

ProxRocks;

Quote:

Oddysey Wrote:I call Bulls**t!

Lacking that damning bit of evidence, I don't see any corroboration of any sort - just drivel from fear-mongers and/or MS bashers...

AMEN! brother...

Couldn't have said it better myself...

Oh, I dunno, I've seen a few examples of your soap-box abilities, when you've felt the need.

Thanks for the support. But it's too early to call the decision, there are still players on the field. Chime in as you feel like it, folks. [unsure]


Oddysey

[Oddysey]

Kye-U;

I see a bunch of us are on-line at the same time. :P

First, no apology necessary - I'm the one who is fired up, true, but it's not at you that I'm aiming my vitriol. I was only asking you to consider what's being said, and what's being advocated.

For me, it wasn't a matter of "removing what isn't needed", it was the way that I perceived the tone of the article in question. I found it to be highly inflammatory, claiming outright as it did that removing IE will make your computer safer from nasty people. You and I both know that's hogwash, but how do we counteract that kind of anti-MS hatred?

Easy. In fact, we counteract it the same way we treat any other gossip (and that's what this is, spiteful gossip) - we ignore it. Simple as that. Just don't repeat unfounded assertions; they'll die out soon enough. Echo them back and forth, and they just grow with each re-telling, until they appear to be the truth! "It must be true, so many people have said so!" Bah! More humbug!

In retrospect, that's what I was really ranting about, so..... I'd like to request a re-match, please. I hereby abase myself, and ask most humbly that you edit the first post with a short disclaimer saying something like "Removing IE from Windows has not been proven to make web surfing safer for anyone", or words to that effect. Please.

EDIT: Or, how about "The following article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of either the Forum Administration or the individual Forum members." I'd buy that for a dollar! [lol]


Oddysey

[Kye-U]

There

Anyways, just to clear things up, I removed it because I had no use of it. I use Mozilla Firefox 99% of the time, and K-Meleon 0.8% and Opera 0.2%.

[Oddysey]

Kye-U;

Blankety-blank Kye-U, that was quick!! I was correcting a grammatical faux pas in my latest post, and Voila! The thread has been re-cast in what I consider a politically neutral mold.

I thank you, Leslie thanks you!


Oddysey

[Oddysey]

Kye-U,

Quote:There

Anyways, just to clear things up, I removed it because I had no use of it. I use Mozilla Firefox 99% of the time, and K-Meleon 0.8% and Opera 0.2%.

That's why you're the first person I'm gonna tap for Beta-Test duties when I get my new site up and running! :P [rolleyes]

I'm just not into installing a bunch of browsers these days, yet I don't wanna cut out any more viewers than I can possibly help. I'll thank you in advance, if you'll accept them!

And FWIW, removal for non-use is very acceptable. I'm sure you know by now how I feel about removal out of fear, eh?


Oddysey

[Kye-U]

No problem I'm sorry for forgetting to include a "disclaimer" in the first place.

I'd be glad to test out your new site

Yeah, I know how you feel about that... [rolleyes]

[Oddysey]

Kye-U;

Thanks. It's the old 0ma-Opa site, soon to be updated to DHTML, and possibly a bit of XML. I'm working on cross-browser issues right now, so it's still several days out from delivery. (Err, maybe it's several weeks out - it all depends. )


Oddysey

[Jaded_Goth]

Kye-U,great post!

I took a more ham-fisted approach to eradicating Inbreed Exploiter-and killed access to the mmc..oops!

In the interests of freedom of information,I say:"BRAVO!".Have cut and pasted it,and will give it a try.