Internet Explorer 7 Announced
It may be simply an idea whose time has come. It may be that Firefox
is making enough noise to raise some eyebrows in Redmond. Either
way, it looks like IE7 is on its way.
Today at the RSA Security Conference in San Francisco, Bill Gates
announced plans for a new version of the world's most widely used
Internet browser. Experimental versions of Internet Explorer 7 are
expected to be ready for testing as early as this summer. The new
and improved IE is apparently being developed with security being
tops on the priority list. Measures to help users avoid 'Phishing'
scams, spyware and viruses are expected to addressed in full as
Gates pointed out that Microsoft has dedicated nearly $2 billion of
it's annual research and development budget on security.
While Internet Explorer still holds in excess of 90% of the browser
market share, the new Firefox browser continues to gain popularity
largely from veteran surfers seeking a higher level of security.
Some statistics show Firefox with as much as 5% of the browser
market. While 5% may be a far cry from IE's 90%, it represents one
of the strongest showings from a non IE browser in the past 10
years or so.
http://www.webpronews.com/txt/ie7a.html
IE 7 To Address Security Issues
Yesterday, Microsoft announced the upcoming update of their web
browser, Internet Explorer, which will be updated to 7.
Promising better security, IE 7 looks to address the number of
vulnerabilities contained by older versions of the browser. The new
version is expected to more effectively combat spyware, malware,
and phishing attacks.
According to Microsoft, "[Bill] Gates announced Internet Explorer
7.0, designed to add new levels of security to Windows XP SP2
while maintaining the level of extensibility and compatibility
that customers have come to expect. Internet Explorer 7.0 will
also provide even stronger defenses against phishing, malicious
software and spyware."
Expect IE 7 to arrive in beta testing format this summer.
http://www.webpronews.com/txt/ie7tasi.html
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No Internet Explorer 7 For Windows 2000
With the Internet universe buzzing about the upcoming Internet
Explorer 7 update, there may be news that can dampen the spirit.
According to PC Magazine, IE 7 will not be compatible with the
Windows 2000 environment. In fact, the only Windows users it will be
available are those with Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed. The
article also discusses how the company from Redmond may have been
inspired by Firefox's warm reception:
"But the news that IE 7.0 will be available only to Windows XP SP2
(Service Pack 2) customers isn't likely to sit well with security
experts who argue that the threat from the Firefox browser is at the
center of Microsoft's aggressive anti-spyware and anti-virus plans.
The percentage of Web surfers using Firefox has risen steadily since
June, but Microsoft officials are sidestepping the issue
altogether."
http://www.webpronews.com/txt/nie7fw2.html
Microsoft AntiSpyware To Remain Free
With the RSA Security Conference is going full-steam ahead, a number
of announcements and declarations have been made by the numerous
sponsors and keynotes appearing there.
One company in particular has been using RSA to showcase a number of
security innovations and updates which will be forthcoming. The
company is, of course, Microsoft. During RSA, the Redmond giant has
announced Internet Explorer 7, which will feature a number of
embedded security measures; as well as other improvements being
made to upcoming utilities.
One item of interest was Microsoft's first foray into fighting
spyware, Windows AntiSpyware. Since the beta release, many have
wondered whether or not the tool will remain a free utility, or is
Microsoft going to start charging for it. Thanks to Geek.com, the
concern about AntiSpyware remaining free has ceased.
According to their article, Bill Gates announced at RSA that
Windows AntiSpyware would remain a free tool. Because of the
surprising effectiveness of WAS and Microsoft's newfound passion for
eliminating spyware, allowing their tool to remain free is an
effective step in reducing the amount of malicious code contracted
by numerous users.
http://www.webpronews.com/txt/matrf.html
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Anti-trust Concerns Join Microsoft's Security Push
With the RSA Security Conference going strong this week, a number of
high-profile security companies used this venue to highlight upcoming
strategies and utilities.
Microsoft too used the conference to show the company's commitment to
security. A keynote given by Bill Gates discussed the recent Sybari
acquisition as well as the upcoming release of their anti-virus
software.
However, a recent article in Reuters looks at how a potential
operating system bundle that includes these tools could re-open old
anti-trust wounds. According to the article:
"If Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft ties its new anti-virus
software, expected out later this year, too closely to Windows or
prices it steeply below anti-virus software offered by vendors such
as McAfee Inc. and Symantec Corp., antitrust regulators could turn
their attention toward the company again.
"Aggressive entry into the established anti-virus market, especially
to the extent Microsoft bundles its solution into the operating
system, is almost certain to draw regulatory scrutiny, especially in
the EU (European Union)," Sanford C. Bernstein & Co. analyst Charles
Di Bona said in a recent note to clients."
http://www.webpronews.com/txt/acjmsp.html
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