Configuring Internet Explorer

Start Internet Explorer, goto windowsupdate and download/install all available updates. Restart your computer when asked to
Repeat step 1 until no more updates appear
Start Internet Explorer, verify only one instance is running.
make sure you have only one instance running
Goto tools->internet options->security (tab)
Here you can add sites you do and don't trust by clicking on one of the four icons aboven (internet, intranet, trusted and restricted sites
Move the slider to a preferred security level. Recommended are the high, medium high and normal levels. Any setting below normal will put your computer at risk. If you want to configure the options manually choose custom level. Here you can define each option, enable/disable functions and enable/disable warnings/requests. When done, press apply
Change to the privacy tab (available only when SP2 is installed) this option will deal with cookie settings
Click the 'websites' button and add sites you explicitly trust or distrust
Goto advanced and allow session cookies and direct cookies. Disallow indirect cookies. An indirect cookie is being sent by a site other then the one you are visiting, mostly advertising sites.
Enable the pop-up blocker and use the normal settings. Add sites you trust and sites where the correct functioning is dependent on pop-ups like windowsupdate.
Choose apply->ok
Restart your browser