Microsoft has finally released a test version of its latest Web browser. Embarrassingly late and one of the main reasons why many have switched to Mozilla’s Firefox, the success of Internet Explorer (IE) 7 will be critical for reviving the software giant’s reputation for security.

IE still accounts for around 90 per cent of the browser market, maintaining its long-held dominance, but Microsoft is aware that we’re all becoming more conscious of cybercrime, in part because of a Government-backed initiative in the UK to highlight the dangers.

In response, Bill Gates has made it clear that security has become the priority for a company that has been criticised for concentrating too much on making its products easy to use as crimes such as identity theft and phishing are rapidly growing.

Microsoft’s pre-beta 2 IE 7 delivers few changes. But you do finally get tabbed browsing, toolbar-integrated search box, and limited RSS support (FFS, how long has this taken - Ed!) Version 7 also has a more streamlined interface than its predecessor, with a strong emphasis on dedicating as much of the window as possible to the displayed Web site. Also included are a number of security upgrades, such as a new anti-phishing filter.

Microsoft has improved the sidebar area of Internet Explorer, which has been renamed the Favorites Center and now includes Favorites, Tab Groups, Browsing History, and RSS feed subscriptions. In addition, the browser automatically shrinks a Web page to fit the paper you’re printing to. And like the latest release of Opera, IE7 also offers full-page zoom, which can scale up or down the size of both text and graphics on any Web page.

Security improvements other than anti-phishing features include address bar protection, ActiveX opt-in, security status bar, the ability to delete various aspects of browser history quickly and easily, and several other measures. The current version does not include two additional security features that will appear in the Windows Vista version of IE7, including protected mode, which isolates IE7 from other applications in the operating system, and a new user-configurable Parental Controls feature which lets parents set several restrictions on computer and Internet usage for their children.

Microsoft is encouraging Web technicians to download Explorer 7 and test the way it works with different kinds of Web site. The beta version is available to anyone who wishes to use it, but it may not yet be compatible with all sites. A full version is expected later this year.

If you’re feeling brave and want to kill a few minutes of your lunch break, the 11.3MB file can be downloaded here. A word of warning: you need to validate your copy of Windows before the software will install. And guess what, validation isn’t supported using Firefox and you need to restart your computer. Different day, same Microsoft crap!

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BIOS, Feb 01, 06 | Print | Send | Comments (0) | Posted In Internet