Is Do Not Track Plus Still Effective for IE in 2025?

Do Not Track Plus for IE — Features, Pros, and ConsDo Not Track Plus (DNT+), developed by Abine, is a browser extension designed to help users control online tracking and reduce targeted ads. While its popularity peaked years ago, some users still seek tools for Internet Explorer (IE) either because of legacy systems, corporate environments, or personal preference. This article examines DNT+ specifically for Internet Explorer: what it does, how it works, its notable features, and the advantages and drawbacks of using it today.

What Do Not Track Plus Does

Do Not Track Plus aims to limit the ability of advertisers and data brokers to track users across websites. It works in two main ways:

• Blocking third-party trackers and cookies that follow users across sites.
• Sending opt-out signals to participating advertising networks and companies, asking them not to track your activity.

Key point: DNT+ is primarily a privacy-and-ad-blocking tool focused on cross-site trackers rather than comprehensive malware or script-blocking protection.

Features

• Browser compatibility (historically): DNT+ was available for major browsers including Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. For IE, installation typically required downloading a Windows installer or an IE-specific add-on package.
• Tracker blocking: The extension keeps a regularly updated list of known tracking domains and prevents many of them from loading.
• Opt-out mechanism: For some companies, DNT+ attempts to register an opt-out preference on your behalf so participating trackers shouldn’t collect your cross-site data.
• Whitelisting: Users could allow certain sites or advertisers to display personalized ads if they prefer.
• Simple interface: The extension emphasized ease of use—on/off controls and a site-by-site view of blocked trackers.
• Periodic updates: Abine maintained filter lists and updated the extension to keep pace with new trackers (when actively supported).

How It Worked in Internet Explorer

Internet Explorer’s add-on architecture differed from modern browsers, so DNT+ for IE used either an ActiveX-style or Browser Helper Object (BHO) approach historically. This meant:

• Deeper integration with the browser process, which could affect stability if the add-on misbehaved.
• Installation required administrative permission on Windows in many corporate setups.
• Compatibility varied by IE version (IE8 vs. IE11), and some features available in modern browsers were limited or absent.

Pros

• Improved privacy against cross-site trackers: DNT+ reduces the volume of data collected by many advertising networks by blocking known trackers.
• Ease of use: Designed for nontechnical users with a simple interface and one-click controls.
• Opt-out convenience: Automatically attempts to set opt-outs for participating trackers, saving users time.
• Cross-browser availability (historically): Users with multiple browsers could get similar protections across them.
• Whitelisting control: Users can allow particular sites or advertisers when desired.

Cons

• Limited effectiveness today: Many ad networks no longer honor opt-out signals, and sophisticated fingerprinting methods aren’t blocked by DNT+’s basic approach.
• IE-specific limitations: Due to IE’s architecture, the extension could be less stable, harder to install in locked-down environments, and missing features found in modern-browser versions.
• Maintenance and support: Abine’s focus shifted over time; if the extension is no longer actively maintained for IE, filter lists and compatibility may become outdated.
• Not a complete security solution: DNT+ does not replace antivirus, anti-malware, or advanced script blockers (e.g., NoScript). It focuses on tracking, not harmful content.
• False sense of privacy: Users might assume comprehensive protection; in reality many trackers and advanced techniques can still collect data.

Practical Considerations in 2025

• Internet Explorer has been deprecated and unsupported on many platforms; Microsoft pushed users toward Edge years ago. Running IE in 2025 is typically limited to legacy enterprise needs.
• Modern alternatives (Edge, Chrome, Firefox) offer built-in tracking protections and a richer ecosystem of privacy extensions that are actively maintained.
• If you must use IE for legacy sites, consider network-level protections such as DNS-based tracker blocking (e.g., Pi-hole), system-level privacy tools, or using a modern browser in parallel for general web use.

Installation Tips (If You Still Need DNT+ on IE)

• Verify compatibility with your IE version (IE11 is the last major version).
• Obtain the extension only from Abine’s official site or trusted archives; avoid random third-party download sites.
• Run installers with administrative rights if required.
• Test stability after installation; disable if IE begins crashing.
• Combine with other protections: antivirus, script blockers on the server or gateway, and a modern browser for sensitive tasks.

Alternatives

Recommendation

If you rely on Internet Explorer only for legacy enterprise applications, consider keeping DNT+ as a small privacy layer but do not depend on it as your primary defense. For everyday browsing and meaningful tracker protection in 2025, move to a modern browser with active privacy features or use network-level solutions.

If you want, I can:

• Provide step-by-step installation instructions for a specific IE version (specify which).
• Draft a troubleshooting checklist if DNT+ causes issues in IE.