Microsoft has released Internet Explorer 7 for Windows
XP, complete with a host of new security and functionality
features.
A version of IE7 for the forthcoming Windows Vista operating
system will be available for that OS later this year.
Financial institutions and security vendors such as PayPal, Visa
International, and VeriSign are encouraging their customers to
upgrade to Internet Explorer 7, which is designed to counter
security attacks such as phishing attempts.
“Security is a top priority for PayPal and we encourage our
customers using Windows to download and use Internet Explorer 7,”
said Michael Barrett, chief information security officer at
PayPal.
“The new Internet Explorer 7 browser has significant security
enhancements, including features that help customers protect their
personal information when browsing, communicating and transacting
online,” said Barrett.
Patrick Gauthier, senior vice president at Visa International,
said, “Making the consumer experience more secure is paramount to
maintaining consumer confidence online. Microsoft’s security
improvements in Internet Explorer 7.0 will certainly further this
endeavour.”
To help users do more with the browser, Microsoft is introducing
tabbed browsing. With tabs, users are able to view multiple sites
in a single browser window and easily switch from one site to
another.
Users of the rival Firefox browser have been able to do this for
the last year.
Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP runs on Windows XP Service
Pack 2, Windows XP 64-bit Edition and Windows Server 2003 Service
Pack 1.