Microsoft has released the webbrowser Internet Explorer in version 9 – next to more speed it also adds a bit of security as every new IE version does. For example, the new built-in tracking protection helps protecting the privacy when surfing the Internet. The SmartScreen Application Reputation helps to prevent to download and install malicious applications by identifying seldom downloaded applications – this can help identifying server-side polymorphic malware. Of course, the usual SmartScreen feature to identify for example Phishing sites is still included. Also already known are feature like ActiveX filtering and Tab isolation. Security-wise, IE9 is a small step in the right direction, though.

IE9 can be downloaded from Microsofts website in plenty of languages. But there is a catch: The most widespread Windows operating system, Windows XP, is not supported! Only on Windows Vista, 7 and Server 2008 IE9 can be installed. Windows XP users can alternatively use the Browser Choice to easily install a different webbrowser which increases security and speed too, like Google Chrome, Firefox or Opera.

Dirk Knop
Technical Editor

• New Internet Explorer Application Compatibility VPC Images are now available
  Hooray.  Long term readers of this blog know how that I don’t like how some people “test” different Internet Explorer versions by turning their PCs into “Frankenstein” systems, and then expect th...
• Internet Explorer Vulnerability with workaround
  In all currently supported Windows operating systems a security vulnerability in the so-called MHTML handler can lead to information disclosure; speculations in the media indicate possibly even worse ...
• Internet Explorer attacked in Europe – by Firefox!
  Move over, Internet Explorer - here comes Firefox! According to web site stat-gathering outfit StatCounter, Firefox sneaked into first place over Internet Explorer for the first time ever at the end ...
• New Internet Explorer Vulnerability Discovered
  Microsoft has released an urgent security advisory describing a new vulnerability in Internet Explorer that allows for malicious code to be run on user systems if they visit a malicious website. Inte...
• Two different 0-day exploits in Internet Explorer
  Two different new zero-day exploits were published on December 22.  Remote attackers could use these exploits to take complete control of a vulnerable system. Websense Security Labs is monitor...
• Internet Explorer 9 – more secure
  Microsoft has added new security features progressively with each version of Internet Explorer (IE). For example, IE 7 introduced a phishing filter, and IE 8 added a cross-site scripting filter and ...
• Internet Explorer users warned of new zero-day attacks
  Microsoft has warned users of all supported versions of the Internet Explorer browser that an unpatched vulnerability exists in the product that is being actively exploited by malicious hackers in ta...
• Internet Explorer 9 – Webcast Series
  Internet Explorer 9: Designed to help the web development community create rich, interoperable, standards-compliant web applications by providing the platform, tools, and features for ...
• Remote Code Execution Vulnerability in Internet Explorer (CVE-2010-3962)
  A new vulnerability has been discovered in Internet Explorer that is currently being used in limited attacks. Websense Security Labs is monitoring the situation and will update this blog post as ...
• New Zero-Day Vulnerability Hits Internet Explorer
  Microsoft recently released a security advisory for a vulnerability in Internet Explorer which allows remote code execution. According to the report, the vulnerability—which affects Internet Explorer...