Microsoft was to release the final version of Internet Explorer 8 at noon Thursday. The latest version of the market-leading Web browser was to be available in 25 languages.
Redmond is making some bold claims with IE8. It promises the latest iteration of the dominant browser is easier to use, faster and offers security features that respond to consumer concerns about online safety.
A study by NSS Labs said IE8 blocks two to four times more malware attacks than other browsers. Microsoft also said IE8 cuts down on the time it takes to do tasks like searching, mapping and sharing, and blurs the lines between the services people use daily and the browser used to access the Internet.
“Customers have made clear what they want in a Web browser — safety, speed and greater ease of use,” said Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer. “With Internet Explorer 8, we are delivering a browser that gets people to the information they need, fast, and provides protection that no other browser can match.”
A Security-Focused Browser
Microsoft points to a just-released Harris Interactive study that shows 91 percent of adults in the U.S. are concerned about online fraud and identity theft, and 78 percent are more likely to choose a Web browser that includes built-in protection without having to download additional programs or browser add-ons. It also showed that 37 percent are less likely to shop online because they would have to give personal information.
“Microsoft is focusing on security, which, while important, doesn’t become a top-line issue for consumers unless they are having a problem or have had a problem,” said Michael Gartenberg, a vice president at Interpret. “The areas where IE8 doesn’t quite seem to match up are speed, particularly as you are getting into complex Web sites that use a lot of JavaScript.”
Microsoft says IE8 beats…