The Information Technology Services department has implemented a new policy for Microsoft Edge browser settings on college-owned Windows computers. This policy does not affect Edge on personal computers or mobile devices, even if signed into a college account. Here are the key changes:
- Home Page and Launch Behavior: Edge will always open to www.cpcc.edu as the home page.
- New Tab Content: The new tab page will be free of recommended content and news feeds.
- Ad and Download Blocking: Intrusive ads and known malicious downloads are blocked.
- Feature Recommendations: Edge will not make feature recommendations to users.
- Import Restrictions: Importing browser data (like history, bookmarks, saved form data, and cookies) from other browsers is disabled. Note: This will be allowed for a short time period to allow users to import bookmarks.
- Ad Customization: Browser data (bookmarks, browsing history, searches) won't be shared with Microsoft for customized ads.
- Feedback and Payment Methods: Users cannot submit browser feedback to Microsoft, and websites cannot access saved payment methods.
- Bing Search Results: Ads and sponsored results are blocked in Bing searches.
- Cookies and History: Third-party cookies are blocked, and automatic clearing of browsing history and cookies upon closing Edge is disabled.
- Privacy Mode: InPrivate mode (Incognito) option is not available.
- Sync Settings: When signed in from multiple locations, only bookmarks are synced with cloud services.
- Sign-In Restrictions: Only college Microsoft accounts can be used to sign into Edge.
- AutoFill: Edge will not save address, payment, username, or password information for later use by AutoFill.
- History and Download Clearing: Users cannot clear browsing and download history but can still clear browser cache and cookies.
- Security Warnings: Users will receive warnings when interacting with form fields on unsecure websites (HTTP).
- First Run Screen: The first run welcome screen is disabled.
- Built-In Support and Insider Program: Access to built-in support and prompts for the Microsoft Insider program are disabled.
- Update Frequency: Edge checks for updates every 12 hours. If a user does not relaunch the browser within a day to apply an update, it will relaunch automatically.
- Shopping Features: Built-in online shopping features like coupon searches, rebates, and express checkout are disabled.
- IE Compatibility and Suggestions: The ability to reload websites in Internet Explorer mode and suggestions for alternate sites if a website cannot be reached are disabled.
- Google Casting: Google casting features are disabled.
- Automatic Downloads and Geolocation: Websites are prevented from automatically triggering downloads, and geolocation data is not shared with any website.
- Typo Protection: Enabled to correct typos for websites known to have malicious typo sites.
- SmartScreen: Windows Defender SmartScreen integration is enabled, providing warnings about possible phishing and malicious sites.
- SafeSearch: SafeSearch settings for the Bing and Google search engines are restricted so users cannot turn off SafeSearch.
These changes are aimed at improving security, privacy, and user experience on college-owned devices.
Glossary of Technical Terms
- InPrivate Mode (Incognito): A browsing mode that doesn't save your browsing history, cookies, site data, or information entered in forms. It's useful for keeping your session private from other users of the same device.
- Google Casting: A feature that allows you to cast or mirror your browser content to a Google Chromecast device connected to a TV or other display.
- Third-Party Cookies: Cookies that are set by a website other than the one you are currently visiting. These are often used for tracking and advertising purposes.
- AutoFill: A browser feature that automatically fills in forms with saved information like addresses, payment details, and login credentials.
- HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol): The protocol used for transferring web pages on the internet. Sites using HTTP are not encrypted, making them less secure than sites using HTTPS.
- Windows Defender SmartScreen: A security feature that helps protect your device from phishing and malware by warning you about potentially dangerous sites and downloads.
- Bing: Microsoft's search engine, similar to Google.
- Internet Explorer Compatibility Mode: A feature that allows modern browsers to display websites as they would appear in the older Internet Explorer browser.
- Typo Protection: A feature that corrects common misspellings of website addresses to prevent users from being directed to malicious sites.
- SafeSearch: This feature filters out explicit content from search results. It can help protect users from potentially disturbing content, such as pornography, graphic violence, nudity, and sex-oriented content.
These terms will help you understand the technical aspects of the new Edge policy changes.