From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Internet Explorer 6 for Windows with Google toolbar
Internet Explorer, abbreviated IE or MSIE, is a web browser from Microsoft, currently (as of 2003) in version 6.0 SP1 (version 5.2.3 for OS X and 5.1.7 for the classic Mac OS). Internet Explorer is by far the most widely-used web browser, for reasons that include the fact that it comes built into various versions of Microsoft Windows and used to be the default browser on the Mac OS before it was replaced by Apple's own Safari Web Browser.
Internet Explorer was originally based on Spyglass, Inc's version of Mosaic, which in turn was based on one of the very first graphical web browsers. Later, it was developed to integrate more closely with Windows, with version 4.0 including an option to enable "Active Desktop", which aimed to make navigating local files and the Internet part of one seamless experience.
The rendering engine for the Windows version of MSIE is used in alternative interfaces, such as Avant Browser, Crazy Browser, NetCaptor, NeoPlanet, and MyIE2.
Internet Explorer was cited as an example of questionable product bundling in Microsoft's anti-trust case with the United States Department of Justice. Microsoft required OEM computer manufacturers to include Internet Explorer in the copies of Windows they installed on systems they shipped, and would not allow the manufacturer to put an icon for any other web browser on the default desktop in place of Internet Explorer.
Widespread exploitation of Internet Explorer's security holes has earned IE a reputation as the least secure of the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla (including Netscape), Opera, and Konqueror). Microsoft has issued many IE security patches, yet a number of known vulnerabilities remain. On the other hand, the complete dominance of Internet Explorer in the web browser market has led some web developers to test their sites only in IE, rather than in multiple browsers and against W3C standards. This means that browsing with Internet Explorer can often be freer of irritation due to other browsers' inability (or unwillingness) to mimic IE's behaviour.
| Table of contents |
Internet Explorer 5.2.3 for Mac OS X (Discontinued)
In June 2003, Microsoft announced that it was ceasing further development of the Apple Macintosh version of MSIE (which uses Tasman as its layout engine, opposed to Windows MSIE), since Apple has developed its own browser, currently known as Safari.
In a May 7, 2003 Microsoft online chat, Brian Countryman, Internet Explorer Program Manager declared that Internet Explorer will cease to exist as an independent program (IE 6 being the last standalone version), and will be continued as a part of the Microsoft Windows operating system product evolution.
An updated version of IE 6 mainly focusing on improving security is due to be included as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2 in 2004.
 Practical Unix & Internet Security, 3rd Edition |
 Firewalls and Internet Security: Repelling the Wily Hacker, Second Edition |
 Cisco Security Specialist's Guide to PIX Firewall |
 Internet Security for Your Macintosh | ||||
 Internet Site Security |
 Steal This Computer Book 3: What They Won't Tell You About the Internet |
 Microsoft Windows Security Resource Kit |
 Complete Guide To E-Security : Using The Internet And E-Mail Without Losing Your Privacy | ||||
 The Complete Idiot's Guide to Internet Privacy and Security |
