Internet Explorer

Our Rating: IE 6: IE 7:

Internet Explorer is the most widely used web browser and it is used by over 80% of all internet users. This is primarily because it is included with any version of the Windows operating system. It originally came out and knocked Netscape Navigator out of the top spot and was widely acknowledged as the best browser on the internet by far. Recently it has slipped a little because it didn't have the useful features that Firefox had, but in the new IE7, it catches up pretty nicely as far as new features and security.

IE6 vs. IE7

When talking about Internet Explorer, you have to distinguish between IE6 and IE7. IE6 is still the most prominent on computers even though IE7 has come out. IE6 was the standard for web browsers and that is the one that most people are used to. But IE6 has many security glitches, doesn't have the useful features such as built-in popup blocking or even the tabbing feature. That is why Firefox started gaining in popularity. But the new IE7 has all of these features and more, so it is a good counter to Mozilla's Firefox. We fully recommend doing the free Windows upgrade to IE7, especially for popup blocking abilities.

Pros

-IE7 is a major popup blocker upgrade
-IE7 fixes security holes that were in IE6

Cons

-It isn't portable or easily moved about. Plus IE7 has a longer installation and download
-IE6 doesn't have built in popup blocking
-IE6 has security holes

Final Thoughts

It is fully recommended that, if you use internet explorer, you upgrade to IE7 and use that from now on. It has everything that IE6 has and more! Also, it is probably a good idea to install a toolbar along with it, just to be extra sure that you will block all annoying popups. Try either the MSN toolbar (duh), or the Google toolbar.

If you already have windows, then you have Internet Explorer installed. Use Windows Update to download the latest version or just go to Microsoft.com.