• by Shankar Gupta , July 29, 2005

Microsoft this week released a beta version of the new Internet Explorer 7, bundled with a test version of a new operating system, formerly known as Longhorn, and now dubbed Windows Vista.

The latest version of Microsoft's browser incorporates a number of features from rising rival Firefox, including tabbed browsing, as well as a search function that allows users to search directly from the toolbar on MSN, Yahoo!, Google, or AskJeeves. Technical documents accompanying the beta version say the final version of Internet Explorer 7 will include the option to add yet more search engines.

Offering users the ability to search from any search engine from the desktop could cut into search giant Google's market share by making it easier for consumers to switch search engines. Currently, 58 percent of Google's users also search at least occasionally on Yahoo! or MSN, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.

The upgraded browser also apparently seeks to address many of the problems that users have with current versions of Internet Explorer, including security issues. The new browser's infrastructure includes a number of features designed to fight malware--viruses, worms, adware, and spyware. One change involves creating a top-level administration login, and placing the default user at a lower login without installation privileges, making it impossible for users to download software from the Web without the users' knowledge or consent.

A similar protection will also prevent certain settings from being changed without the user's knowledge, preventing tactics such as home page resetting. The new browser also has a function to identify and warn users of possible phishing sites.

Although Internet Explorer is the clear market share leader in the browser space, open source underdog FireFox has been increasing its market share all year. According to NetApplications, Internet Explorer claims 86.56 percent of the market, while Firefox is second with 8.71 percent.