I've been experiencing random IE crashes over the past few years. Today, I've finally sort the problems out. It has turned out that the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary software installs an Add-on (TEXTware QUICKfind) to IE that causes all the troubles. It seem that this Add-on can't cope with the newer versions of IE. I've just simply turned it off and there are no crashes any more.
To turn it off, go to IE menu:
Tools / Manage Add-ons / Toolbars and Extensions
And disable:
QUICKfind BHO Object
FipS