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IE 8 beta gives other browsers a run for their money
Don't count Internet Explorer out just yet.
On Wednesday, Microsoft released the second public beta for Internet Explorer 8. If anything, this release brings IE up to par with alternative browsers such as Opera, Apple's Safari, and Mozilla's Firefox in terms of security and features. It also pushes Microsoft a little ahead of the competition.
The user interface hasn't changed much since Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1, except to add a Security pull-down menu between Page and Tools on the main toolbar. In addition to blocking phishing sites, IE 8 now highlights the main domain of any Web site you visit. Thus if you think you are on eBay's site and something other than ebay.com is highlighted, chances are you are on the wrong Web site.
IE 8 also contains a cross-site scripting filter, one of the first in a mainstream browser. Cross-site scripting allows an attacker to execute script on a user's browser without them knowing. When the IE 8 filter finds a Web page with a cross-site scripting request, it changes the content on the page with a notice. Users are not presented with an option; IE simply blocks the malicious script from executing and then displays the rest of the page.
In another feature, known as InPrivate, Microsoft allows the user to suspend caching functions while you surf. The scenarios for using InPrivate include when you're using someone else's computer, like for instance, when you need to buy a gift for a loved one without ruining the surprise, or when you're at an Internet kiosk and don't want the next person to know which Web site you visited. While you can currently clear the browser cache with a mouse click, it's an all-or-nothing action. InPrivate temporarily suspends the automatic caching functions, allowing you to keep the rest of your browsing history intact. Apple Safari has offered this feature for a while, but Mozilla Firefox does not.
IE 8 Beta 1 has already introduced several behind-the-scenes security changes. For example, ActiveX components will be installed per user, which eliminates the need for everyone to have administrator privileges. In addition, you must acknowledge or opt in for the component to run, eliminating drive-by downloads. Components will be per site and will only be available from the site of origin. Finally, site developers can request killbits from Microsoft which can be sent via Windows Update to terminate risky or outdated components.
Also, IE 8 Beta 1 included Microsoft's own brand of malware protection. Earlier this year, Opera added Haute Secure malware protection, and Mozilla enhanced its Google and StopBadware malware protection in Firefox 3.
See also:
Internet Explorer 8 Beta 2 screenshots
Review: Internet Explorer 8 beta 2
Daily Debrief video: The newest IE 8
As CNET's resident security expert, Robert Vamosi has been interviewed on the BBC, CNN, MSNBC, and other outlets to share his knowledge about the latest online threats and to offer advice on personal and corporate security. Listen to his podcast at securitybites.cnet.com or e-mail Robert with your questions and comments. 
But let me say that they got it right with this release. The privacy controls, the Acelerators are awesome!!! I love it. The one gripe that I have is that it does not have a builtin spell checker. Wish it had one.
Seriously - if you're going to write an article touting improvements, could you do more than just list whatever features were spoon-fed from Microsoft's PR office?
/P
Actually, it's drop-easy to run it through the ACID testing (takes like two minutes), and since Mr. Vamosi presents himself as a security expert, it should be relatively easy for him to dig in a little for an hour or two before posting the article. Calling Microsoft and asking a few tough questions couldn't hurt either.
Also, Fox News (of all organizations) confirmed that InPrivate doesn't really clear your cache - "Although casual users cannot see the previous user?s search history, authorities such as the police will be able to access it if necessary."
ref: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,412161,00.html
"Actually, it's drop-easy to run it through the ACID testing (takes like two minutes), and since Mr. Vamosi presents himself as a security expert, it should be relatively easy for him to dig in a little for an hour or two before posting the article."
It's rather ironic that Penguinisto, a self proclaimed security expert himself on Slashdot and Poser forums, would chastise a person for writing up their thoughts and views on a piece of software's abilities but hasn't done it himself. If it only takes "like two minutes," then perhaps Penguinisto should do this himself instead of taking someone else's word for it? I know that would mean installing IE8 on a Windows system and he has stated many times before that he has does not own or use any Windows products, but it would make sense for him to actually try to get the facts before casting barbs at someone for doing something that Penguinisto himself has not done.
I don't know- perhaps he should follow his own advice:
"Dig in for an hour or two before posting-"
Sounds like wise advice to me. Now only if he would heed it.
This is pretty common troll behavior otherwise. Treat it accordingly.
Getting frustrated already? All I did was chide Mr. Vamosi for not doing anything more than repeating PR spin. Or does repeating PR spin count as a "blog" nowadays?
(PS: I prefer DAZ|Studio over Poser ;) ).
So, it's a lose-lose proposition for Microsoft, at least as far as people like you (chronic whiners) go.
Actually, Firefox offers the same privacy feature in a plugin called Stealther. What it does is temporarily disable the following:
- Browsing History (also in Address bar)
- Cookies
- Downloaded Files History
- Disk Cache
- Saved Form Information
- Sending of ReferrerHeader
- Recently Closed Tabs list
But they are looking for "built in" here ;) And FF3 doesnt have it.
This is untrue. Firefox doesn't have the cute little delete icon in the list, but you can simply press the Delete key while a site is highlighted in the 'awesome bar' dropdown to remove it.
Went to the address bar, typed in cnet, scrolled down to this article entry, pressed Delete (not backspace). Gone from the list and gone from history.
Uh...
But like someone else said, I'm more interested in how it handles ACID and whether it's any quicker / less bloaty.
The "accelerator" feature looks like a slicker version of Ubiquity, but probably less fully featured. (But, like most Microsoft products, good enough for mom and dad. *sigh*)
I really hope that Microsoft finds your posting and sues you for libel.
Note the following: "Although casual users cannot see the previous user?s search history, authorities such as the police will be able to access it if necessary."
@Peng: nobody is saying that other browsers can't add a similar technology. Hey, it would probably be "innovative" if another company does it.
There is an architectural flaw in Vista that can be used to get around the lame memory 'protections' and completely own the machine.
No patch can fix it either.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acid3
so a 3 percent imrpovement
IE8 has hugely improved on both terms and is at par or exceeds with Firefox.
Among many other features.. one prominents Feature which C|NET team missed is
- New Tab.
I loved the whole Idea of what microsoft has done with the new page.
say I accidentaly closed a tab which I reached from a series of other tabs. hey don't worry.
Just open a new tab and it will show you ur CURRENT browsing summary. No need to browse/seek from regular History tab. Simply open a new tab.
It's fantastic and shows the research on user habits - microsoft has done with IE8.
It's not all about being Technically marvelous but add to it - the User perspective.
That's IE8 for you.
kudos MS...
"Although casual users cannot see the previous user?s search history, authorities such as the police will be able to access it if necessary."
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,412161,00.html
Wrong
"And that's true of Opera, Safari, and Firefox. Don't forget to list those others as well"
Extremely wrong
- by bajanx August 29, 2008 12:50 AM PDT
- Oh speed is on par with firefox, but i also tauhgt it was really close with IE7 PRO plugin installed.
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