Data Execution Prevention, or DEP, raises an exception if it detects code loading from the default heap or stack. Since this behavior is indicative of malicious code (legitimate code does not generally load in this manner), DEP protects the browser against attacks rendered, for example, via buffer overflow and similar type vulnerabilities.
DEP was first introduced in Windows XP Service Pack 2. Follow the instructions below to enable DEP in Internet Explorer v7.
Also see: How to Enable DEP on IE6
- Open Internet Explorer v7
- From the Tools menu, select Internet Options.
- Select the Advanced tab.
- Scroll down and select the option to Enable memory protection to mitigate online attacks
- Click Apply then click OK to exit the program.

