The latest browser market share report issued in January, Net Applications, quoted Internet Explorer 8 as the most-used browser in the world with 25.6 per cent of market share across all OS’s on a worldwide-weighted usage share basis. Furthermore, Internet Explorer 8 was also classified as the most popular browser on Windows.
“Internet Explorer 8 was launched just less than a year ago, so it’s both humbling and thrilling to see so many people choose our product so quickly - making it the most popular browser of choice worldwide,” said a spokesperson for Microsoft. “These results come at the right time, especially in light of announcements from a handful of companies including Google and some government organisations recommending that people move off the Internet Explorer 6 to a modern browser.”
In fact, Google last week announced its phasing out of Internet Explorer 6 support on two Google Apps products, Docs and Sites, encouraging users to upgrade to a more recent browser, a decision that stemmed mostly from the almost decade-old browser’s vulnerability that led to a Google hack in China. In Europe, the UK Department of Health encouraged the National Health Service (NHS) to move off of Internet Explorer 6 to a more recent browser, and security officials from France and Germany have also urged users to move away from Internet Explorer 6 and download Internet Explorer 8.
“Most people want to know and trust the company behind their browser. And people are looking for a browser that protects them and their privacy online. Way back in August of last year, Internet Explorer 8’s SmartScreen Filter had hit over 80 million malware blocks. Today however, Internet Explorer 8 has done over 350 million malware blocks with malware blocks now reaching over two million times a day,” adds Microsoft’s spokesperson.
Phishing is another very serious threat to people browsing the Internet today – a criminal attempt to secure people’s personal information online, generally spread through email directing unsuspecting consumers to fake websites and asking them to enter sensitive information. With Internet Explorer 7, Microsoft introduced the Phishing Filter, and has continued to improve on it in Internet Explorer 8. Together, Internet Explorer 7 and 8 have blocked a total of over 125 million phishing sites.
Microsoft supports this recommendation to move off Internet Explorer 6. Modern browsers such as Internet Explorer 8 bring benefits for customers and developers alike. "We realise there are some customers today who depend on Internet Explorer 6, and while we continue to support them through the lifecycle of the product, we are also investing in the tools and training to help them upgrade as well.”
Microsoft recommends users to upgrade to the latest version of their browser. Internet Explorer 8 offers improvements in speed, security and reliability as well as new features designed for the way people use the web. For further information, please visit www.microsoft.com/malta.