Internet Explorer version 7 Beta 2 will help computer users get used to some of the concepts behind the upcoming Windows Vista, but also cure some of the security problems which have been afflicting Internet Explorer for the past couple of years.
The latest Beta release is immune to the latest unpatched vulnerability warned about by eEye Digital Security. For this reason alone, it is worth the upgrade.
That exploit affects MSIE versions 5.01 SP4 through 6.0 SP2. eEye Digital Security says it targets "a critical security vulnerability in Microsoft Internet Explorer. The exploit pertains to an unpatched vulnerability that has been released on various public mailing lists.
"The vulnerability results from the method in which Internet Explorer handles HTML Objects. This flaw allows for remote code to be executed on the target system. If successfully exploited, an attacker will only have the rights of the currently logged on user. System Administrators should be careful to not use Administrator accounts for general system use.
"Currently, there have been numerous reports of this vulnerability being used on various websites in attempts to install Spyware and remote control 'bot' software for use in Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. The recommended action required to protect systems against this attack is to disable Active Scripting from within Internet Explorer."
The latest version of the program is a free download, but you will need to be running an authenticated version of WinXP SP2 to get it. Before installing it needs to "Validate" your WinXP installation. If your machine validates, you will then be presented with the choice of installing the beta or quitting at the point. Once the install is complete, it prompts you to restart your computer. My computer restarted without a hitch.
When you launch MSIE 7-Beta-2 you will notice that the look is very different -- almost Mac like. The first thing it asks is whether or not you want to "Turn on automatic Phishing Filter". You also have the option of participating in ongoing product evaluation, which involves Microsoft monitoring your online activity.
Since I did an upgrade I was worried about my bookmarks, saved passwords, and saved cookies -- ones which make it easier for me to visit sites important to my work. Happily, I did not lose any bookmarks, saved user names and passwords and all websites to which I was logging into automatically, because I had set a cookie to make this possible, worked as expected.
The new version uses something called a "Favorites Center" which is found by clicking on an icon which looks like a star in a yellow box. I found it by hovering over all the icons looking for my favorites folder. In MSIE 6.x this was in a named menu item, which is really easy to spot and find. You can get this back by selecting the Tools menu in the, which beside an icon that looks like a gear, and choosing Toolbars and selecting "Classic Menu".
The big change in MSIE 7 is the introduction of tabbed browsing. This is where new sites are opened in tabs instead of in new instances of MSIE. This lets you keep everything in front of you when you are switching back and forth between sites, as might be the case when you are shopping. If you like the old way of doing things, that is available as well.
Is It Worth Upgrading? Yes, if only for the security improvements. You can download it here: Microsoft MSIE 7-Beta-2 beta download
Brian Clancey is a journalist, programmer and web developer who has been building websites since 1995. Websites managed by his company include the http://www.10-Minute-Rule.com, offering software reviews and articles about web design.