Q. What are some of the most common problems with Internet Explorer?

A. Internet Explorer has a reputation of being a bit “buggy” that is to say that it has a tendency to produce quite a few errors or problems. The most common ones are Kernel32, secure sites that won’t display, having your homepage replaced with a new one or having your favorites disappear.

Q. What commonly causes these issues?

A. The biggest problem for Internet Explorer users is spyware. This corrupts the browser and makes changes to it without your knowledge. Other issues can be caused due to an outdated copy of IE or a failure to download a recent patch to fix a problem. In some cases, the error is simply fleeting and not really anything to worry about.

Q. How do I fix these problems?

A. First, let’s deal with Kernel32 errors. Close down the browser and then reopen it. If it occurs again, you may need to download either a security patch or you may need to update the software entirely. If you are still running IE 6 it’s a good idea to upgrade it to IE 7, the latest version. You can download this for free at Microsoft’s website, and you can also get patches there as well.

The other problems are usually related to spyware that has taken over your computer. If your home page has been replaced with a new one, try changing it back and then restart your browser. If it happens again, you’ll need to run a spyware and virus scan. The same is true with your favorites.

If you don’t have a spyware removal program on your computer, there are many free applications that are quite powerful. You can get spyware free applications at download.com and they also have reviews of spyware removal applications to help you pick the best one. Install this software and run a scan. Have it fix or quarantine any problems and then restart your computer. Then, restart your browser. The issue should now be fixed.

It’s really not recommended to uninstall IE on your computer, but you can overwrite it with a new version. Uninstalling the software may cause problems with other programs since the browser is so integrated into the Windows operating system.

Q. How do I avoid having this happen in the future?

A. Always make sure that you are using the latest version of IE and download any security patches that Microsoft releases. It’s a good idea to take advantage of the automatic update feature in IE so that you don’t miss any patches or updates that need to be installed.

It’s also vital to use an antivirus and spyware blocker. These programs can really help keep your computer free of nasty viruses that wreak havoc on your system. In addition, it’s always a good idea to make a back up copy of your favorites so that if you do lose them, you can simply put them back in after you run a virus scan.