Edit filter log

'@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ | released = {{release date and age|2001|8|27}} | status = {{Plainlist| *[[Windows XP]] and earlier: Unsupported<ref name="LeeHutchinson">{{cite news |title=Looking at the Web with Internet Explorer 6, one last time |url= http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2014/04/looking-at-the-web-with-internet-explorer-6-one-last-time/ |first=Lee |last=Hutchinson |newspaper=[[Ars Technica]] |date= April 9, 2014 |accessdate=April 10, 2014}}</ref> -*[[Windows Server 2003]]: Active<ref name="WinServer2K3">{{Cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?c2=1163 |title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle |accessdate=April 11, 2014}}</ref>}} -| latest release version = 6.0 SV3 ('6 SP3')<ref name="sv1"/> +*[[Windows Server 2003]]: Active<ref name="WinServer2K3">{{cite web|url=http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/?c2=1163 |title=Microsoft Support Lifecycle |accessdate=April 11, 2014}}</ref>}} +| latest release version = 6.0 SV3 ('6 SP3')<ref name="sv1" /> | latest release date = {{Start date and age|2008|05|05}} | operating system = [[Windows NT 4.0]], [[Windows 98]], [[Windows ME]], [[Windows 2000]] | included with = [[Windows XP]], [[Windows Server 2003]] and [[Windows Home Server]] @@ -20,64 +20,64 @@ It is the default browser shipped with Windows XP and [[Windows Server 2003]], and was also made available for [[Windows NT 4.0]], [[Windows 98]], [[Windows 98 SE]], [[Windows Me]], [[Windows 2000]], and [[Windows Home Server]] (a derivative of Windows Server 2003). IE6 SP1 is the last version of Internet Explorer available for Windows NT 4.0, Windows 98, Windows 98 SE, Windows Me, and Windows 2000. Internet Explorer 6 was superseded by [[Internet Explorer 7]] in October 2006. -This version of [[Internet Explorer]] has been widely criticized for its security issues and lack of support for modern web standards, making frequent appearances in "worst tech products of all time" lists, with some publications labeling it as the "least secure software on the planet."<ref name="PCWorld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,125772,pg,3,00.asp|title=The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time|date=2005-05-26|first=Dan|last=Tynan|publisher=[[PC World (magazine)|PCWorld]]|accessdate=2006-07-18}}</ref> Because a substantial percentage of the web audience still uses the outdated browser (especially in [[China]]), campaigns have been established to encourage users to upgrade to newer versions of Internet Explorer or switch to different browsers. Some websites have dropped support for IE6 entirely, most notable of which is [[Google]] dropping support in some of its services.<ref name="TechRadar">{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/official-youtube-to-stop-ie6-support-616309|title=Official: YouTube to stop IE6 support|date=2009-07-14|first=Patrick|last=Goss|publisher=[[TechRadar]]|accessdate=2009-07-26}}</ref><ref name="GoogleRemSup">{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10444574-265.html|title=Google phasing out support for IE6|date=2010-01-30|first=Tom|last=Krazit|publisher=[[CNET Networks|CNET]]|accessdate=2010-01-30}}</ref> +This version of [[Internet Explorer]] has been widely criticized for its security issues and lack of support for modern web standards, making frequent appearances in "worst tech products of all time" lists, with some publications labeling it as the "least secure software on the planet."<ref name="PCWorld">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,125772,pg,3,00.asp |title=The 25 Worst Tech Products of All Time |date=2005-05-26|first=Dan|last=Tynan |work=[[PC World]] |publisher=[[IDG]] |accessdate=2006-07-18}}</ref> Because a substantial percentage of the web audience still uses the outdated browser (especially in [[China]]), campaigns have been established to encourage users to upgrade to newer versions of Internet Explorer or switch to different browsers. Some websites have dropped support for IE6 entirely, most notable of which is [[Google]] dropping support in some of its services.<ref name="TechRadar">{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/internet/official-youtube-to-stop-ie6-support-616309 |title=Official: YouTube to stop IE6 support |date=2009-07-14|first=Patrick|last=Goss |work=[[TechRadar]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |accessdate=2009-07-26}}</ref><ref name="GoogleRemSup">{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-30684_3-10444574-265.html |title=Google phasing out support for IE6 |date=2010-01-30|first=Tom|last=Krazit |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |accessdate=2010-01-30}}</ref> -==Overview== -When IE6 was released, it included a number of enhancements over its predecessor, [[Internet Explorer 5]]. It and its [[layout engine]] [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] are required for many programs including [[Microsoft Encarta]]. IE6 improved support for [[Cascading Style Sheets]], adding support for a number of properties which previously had not been implemented and fixing bugs such as the [[Internet Explorer box model bug]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb250395%28VS.85%29.aspx|title=CSS Enhancements in Internet Explorer 6|work=CSS Enhancements in Internet Explorer 6|publisher=[[Microsoft]]|date=September 2006|accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref> In Windows XP, IE6 introduced a redesigned interface based on the operating system's default theme, Luna. +== Overview == +When IE6 was released, it included a number of enhancements over its predecessor, [[Internet Explorer 5]]. It and its [[layout engine]] [[Trident (layout engine)|Trident]] are required for many programs including [[Microsoft Encarta]]. IE6 improved support for [[Cascading Style Sheets]], adding support for a number of properties which previously had not been implemented and fixing bugs such as the [[Internet Explorer box model bug]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb250395%28VS.85%29.aspx |title=CSS Enhancements in Internet Explorer 6 |work=CSS Enhancements in Internet Explorer 6 |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=September 2006 |accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref> In Windows XP, IE6 introduced a redesigned interface based on the operating system's default theme, Luna. -In addition, IE6 added DHTML enhancements, content restricted inline frames, and partial support of [[Document Object Model|DOM]] level 1 and [[Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language|SMIL]] 2.0.<ref name="Axistive">{{cite web|url=http://www.axistive.com/smil-standards-and-microsoft-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.html|title=SMIL Standards and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8|date=June 28, 2007|accessdate=2007-05-27|publisher=[[axistive]]}}</ref> The [[MSXML]] engine was also updated to version 3.0. Other new features included a new version of the [[Internet Explorer Administration Kit]] (IEAK) which introduced [[IExpress]], a utility to create self-extracting [[INF file|INF]]-based installation packages,<ref>[http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd346760.aspx IExpress Technology and the IExpress Wizard]</ref> Media bar, [[Windows Messenger]] integration, fault collection, automatic image resizing, and [[P3P]]. Meanwhile, IE6 dropped support for [[X BitMap|XBM]] image files,{{citation needed|date=January 2013}} and in 2002, the [[Gopher (protocol)|Gopher protocol]] was disabled.<ref name="IE_Gopher">{{cite web|url=http://gopher.floodgap.com/gopher/gw?gopher.floodgap.com/0/gopher/wbgopher|title=Using a web browser to access gopher space|first=Cameron|last=Kaiser|publisher=[[Floodgap]]|date=21 July 2009|accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> +In addition, IE6 added DHTML enhancements, content restricted inline frames, and partial support of [[Document Object Model|DOM]] level 1 and [[Synchronized Multimedia Integration Language|SMIL]] 2.0.<ref name="Axistive">{{cite web|url=http://www.axistive.com/smil-standards-and-microsoft-internet-explorer-6-7-and-8.html |title=SMIL Standards and Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, 7, and 8 |date=June 28, 2007 |accessdate=2007-05-27 |work=axistive <!--|archiveurl=http://archive.today/Lt0E |archivedate=30 Jun 2012-->}}</ref> The [[MSXML]] engine was also updated to version 3.0. Other new features included a new version of the [[Internet Explorer Administration Kit]] (IEAK) which introduced [[IExpress]], a utility to create self-extracting [[INF file|INF]]-based installation packages,<ref>[http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd346760.aspx IExpress Technology and the IExpress Wizard]</ref> Media bar, [[Windows Messenger]] integration, fault collection, automatic image resizing, and [[P3P]]. Meanwhile, IE6 dropped support for [[X BitMap|XBM]] image files,{{citation needed |date=January 2013}} and in 2002, the [[Gopher (protocol)|Gopher protocol]] was disabled.<ref name="IE_Gopher">{{cite web|url=http://gopher.floodgap.com/gopher/gw?gopher.floodgap.com/0/gopher/wbgopher |title=Using a web browser to access gopher space|first=Cameron|last=Kaiser |publisher=Floodgap |date=21 July 2009 |accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> -IE6 was the [[Usage share of web browsers|most widely used web browser]] during its tenure, surpassing [[Internet Explorer 5|Internet Explorer 5.x]]. At its peak in 2002 and 2003, IE6 attained a total market share of nearly 90%, with all versions of IE combined reaching 95%. There was little change in IE's market share for several years, until [[Mozilla Firefox]] was released and gradually began to gain popularity. Microsoft subsequently resumed development of Internet Explorer and released [[Internet Explorer 7]], further reducing the number of IE6 users. +IE6 was the [[Usage share of web browsers|most widely used web browser]] during its tenure, surpassing [[Internet Explorer 5]].x. At its peak in 2002 and 2003, IE6 attained a total market share of nearly 90%, with all versions of IE combined reaching 95%. There was little change in IE's market share for several years, until [[Mozilla Firefox]] was released and gradually began to gain popularity. Microsoft subsequently resumed development of Internet Explorer and released [[Internet Explorer 7]], further reducing the number of IE6 users. -In a May 7, 2003 Microsoft online chat, Brian Countryman, Internet Explorer Program Manager, declared that Internet Explorer would cease to be distributed separately from Windows (IE 6 would be the last standalone version);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1032_3-1011859.html|title=Microsoft to abandon standalone IE|last=Hansen|first=Evan|author2=Staff Writer|date=May 31, 2003|publisher=CNN|accessdate=9 February 2010|archiveurl=http://archive.is/vJDi|archivedate=29 June 2012}}</ref> it would, however, be continued as a part of the evolution of Windows, with updates coming only bundled in Windows upgrades. Thus, Internet Explorer and Windows itself would be kept more in sync. However, after one release in this fashion (IE6 SP2 in Windows XP SP2, in August 2004), Microsoft changed its plan and released Internet Explorer 7 for [[Windows XP SP2]] and [[Windows Server 2003 SP1]] in late 2006. -Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 was the last version of Internet Explorer to have "Microsoft" in the title: later versions changed branding to "Windows Internet Explorer", as a reaction to the findings of anti-competitive [[tying (commerce)|tying]] of Internet Explorer and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] raised in ''[[United States v. Microsoft]]'' and the [[European Union Microsoft competition case]].{{citation needed|date=June 2014}} +In a May 7, 2003 Microsoft online chat, Brian Countryman, Internet Explorer Program Manager, declared that Internet Explorer would cease to be distributed separately from Windows (IE 6 would be the last standalone version);<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/2100-1032_3-1011859.html |title=Microsoft to abandon standalone IE|last=Hansen|first=Evan|author2=Staff Writer |date=May 31, 2003 |work=[[CNN#Online|CNN Online]] |publisher=[[CNN]] |accessdate=9 February 2010|archiveurl=http://archive.is/vJDi|archivedate=29 June 2012}}</ref> it would, however, be continued as a part of the evolution of Windows, with updates coming only bundled in Windows upgrades. Thus, Internet Explorer and Windows itself would be kept more in sync. However, after one release in this fashion (IE6 SP2 in Windows XP SP2, in August 2004), Microsoft changed its plan and released Internet Explorer 7 for [[Windows XP SP2]] and [[Windows Server 2003 SP1]] in late 2006. +Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 was the last version of Internet Explorer to have "Microsoft" in the title: later versions changed branding to "Windows Internet Explorer", as a reaction to the findings of anti-competitive [[tying (commerce)|tying]] of Internet Explorer and [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] raised in ''[[United States v. Microsoft]]'' and the [[European Union Microsoft competition case]].{{citation needed |date=June 2014}} -On March 4, 2011, Microsoft urged web users to stop using IE6 in favor of newer versions of Internet Explorer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modern.ie/en-us/ie6countdown|title=Internet Explorer 6 Countdown}}</ref> They launched a new website called IE6 Countdown,<ref>[https://www.modern.ie/en-us/ie6countdown ie6countdown.com]</ref> which would show how much percentage of the world uses IE6 and aims to get people away from IE6 and upgrade. +On March 4, 2011, Microsoft urged web users to stop using IE6 in favor of newer versions of Internet Explorer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.modern.ie/en-us/ie6countdown |title=Internet Explorer 6 Countdown}}</ref> They launched a new website called IE6 Countdown,<ref>[https://www.modern.ie/en-us/ie6countdown ie6countdown.com]</ref> which would show how much percentage of the world uses IE6 and aims to get people away from IE6 and upgrade. -==Security problems== +== Security problems == [[File:IE6 Countdown.png|thumb|Microsoft's official page discouraging IE6 use, ie6countdown.com]] -The security advisory site [[Secunia]] reported an outstanding 24 unpatched vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 6 as of February 9, 2010. These vulnerabilities, which include several "moderately critical" ratings, amount to 17% of the total 144 security risks listed on the website as of February 11, 2010.<ref name="secunia-ie">{{cite web|url=http://secunia.com/product/11/|title=Vulnerability Report: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x|publisher=[[Secunia]]|accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +The security advisory site [[Secunia]] reported an outstanding 24 unpatched vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer 6 as of February 9, 2010. These vulnerabilities, which include several "moderately critical" ratings, amount to 17% of the total 144 security risks listed on the website as of February 11, 2010.<ref name="secunia-ie">{{cite web|url=http://secunia.com/product/11/ |title=Vulnerability Report: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.x |work=[[Secunia]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> Although security patches continue to be released for a range of platforms, most recent feature additions and security improvements were released for Windows XP only. As of June 23, 2006, Secunia counted 20 unpatched security flaws for Internet Explorer 6, many more and older than for [[Comparison of web browsers#Vulnerabilities|any other browser]], even in each individual criticality-level, although some of these flaws only affect Internet Explorer when running on certain versions of Windows or when running in conjunction with certain other applications.<ref name="secunia-ie" /> -On June 23, 2004, an attacker used two previously undiscovered security holes in Internet Explorer to insert [[e-mail spam|spam]]-sending software on an unknown number of end-user computers.<ref name="ject">{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/news/researchers-warn-of-infectious-web-sites/136825|title=Researchers warn of infectious Web sites|date=25 June 2004|accessdate=8 September 2010|publisher=[[ZDnet]]|first=Robert|last=Lemos}}</ref> This [[malware]] became known as [[Download.ject]] and it caused users to infect their computers with a [[Backdoor (computing)|back door]] and [[Keystroke logging|key logger]] merely by viewing a web page. Infected sites included several financial sites. +On June 23, 2004, an attacker used two previously undiscovered security holes in Internet Explorer to insert [[e-mail spam|spam]]-sending software on an unknown number of end-user computers.<ref name="ject">{{cite web|url=http://www.zdnet.com/news/researchers-warn-of-infectious-web-sites/136825 |title=Researchers warn of infectious Web sites |date=25 June 2004 |accessdate=8 September 2010 |work=[[ZDnet]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |first=Robert |last=Lemos}}</ref> This [[malware]] became known as [[Download.ject]] and it caused users to infect their computers with a [[Backdoor (computing)|back door]] and [[Keystroke logging|key logger]] merely by viewing a web page. Infected sites included several financial sites. Probably the biggest generic security failing of Internet Explorer (and other web browsers too) is the fact that it runs with the same level of access as the logged in user, rather than adopting the principle of [[least user access]]. Consequently any malware executing in the Internet Explorer [[process (computing)|process]] via a [[vulnerability (computing)|security vulnerability]] (e.g. Download.ject in the example above) has the same level of access as the user, something that has particular relevance when that user is an [[System administrator|Administrator]]. Tools such as DropMyRights<ref>http://blogs.msdn.com/michael_howard/archive/2004/11/18/266033.aspx</ref> are able to address this issue by restricting the [[token (Windows NT architecture)|security token]] of the Internet Explorer process to that of a limited user. However this added level of security is not installed or available by default, and does not offer a simple way to elevate [[privilege (computing)|privileges]] [[ad hoc]] when required (for example to access [[Microsoft Update]]). Art Manion, a representative of the [[United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team]] (US-CERT) noted in a vulnerability report that the design of Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 made it difficult to secure. He stated that: -<blockquote>There are a number of significant vulnerabilities in technologies relating to the IE domain/zone security model, local file system (Local Machine Zone) trust, the Dynamic HTML (DHTML) document object model (in particular, proprietary DHTML features), the HTML Help system, MIME type determination, the graphical user interface (GUI), and ActiveX. … IE is integrated into Windows to such an extent that vulnerabilities in IE frequently provide an attacker significant access to the operating system.<ref name="artmanion1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878|title=Vulnerability Note VU#713878|date=June 9, 2004|publisher=[[United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team|US-CERT]]|accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref></blockquote> +<blockquote>There are a number of significant vulnerabilities in technologies relating to the IE domain/zone security model, local file system (Local Machine Zone) trust, the Dynamic HTML (DHTML) document object model (in particular, proprietary DHTML features), the HTML Help system, MIME type determination, the graphical user interface (GUI), and ActiveX. … IE is integrated into Windows to such an extent that vulnerabilities in IE frequently provide an attacker significant access to the operating system.<ref name="artmanion1">{{cite web|url=http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878 |title=Vulnerability Note VU#713878 |date=June 9, 2004 |work=[[United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team|US-CERT]] |accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref></blockquote> -Manion later clarified that most of these concerns were addressed in 2004 with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, and other browsers have now begun to suffer the same vulnerabilities he identified in the above CERT report.<ref name="artmanion2">{{cite news |url= http://news.cnet.com/A-safe-browser-No-longer-in-the-lexicon/2010-1071_3-5777036.html?part=rss&tag=5777036&subj=news |title=Perspective: A safe browser? No longer in the lexicon |first=Art |last=Manion |accessdate=2006-04-07 |publisher=[[CNET Networks|CNet]] |date=July 7, 2005}}</ref> +Manion later clarified that most of these concerns were addressed in 2004 with the release of Windows XP Service Pack 2, and other browsers have now begun to suffer the same vulnerabilities he identified in the above CERT report.<ref name="artmanion2">{{cite news |url= http://news.cnet.com/A-safe-browser-No-longer-in-the-lexicon/2010-1071_3-5777036.html?part=rss&tag=5777036&subj=news |title=Perspective: A safe browser? No longer in the lexicon |first=Art |last=Manion |accessdate=2006-04-07 |work=[[CNET]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |date=July 7, 2005}}</ref> -Many security analysts{{Who|date=May 2009}} attribute Internet Explorer's frequency of exploitation in part to its ubiquity, since its market dominance makes it the most obvious target. However, [[David A. Wheeler|David Wheeler]] argues that this is not the full story, noting that [[Apache HTTP Server]], for example, had a much larger market share than Microsoft IIS, yet Apache had traditionally had fewer security vulnerabilities than IIS, at the time.<ref name="oss-fs-why">{{cite web|url=http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html|title=Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS, FLOSS, or FOSS)? Look at the Numbers!|date=November 14, 2005|first=David|last=Wheeler|accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref> +Many security analysts{{Who |date=May 2009}} attribute Internet Explorer's frequency of exploitation in part to its ubiquity, since its market dominance makes it the most obvious target. However, [[David A. Wheeler|David Wheeler]] argues that this is not the full story, noting that [[Apache HTTP Server]], for example, had a much larger market share than Microsoft IIS, yet Apache had traditionally had fewer security vulnerabilities than IIS, at the time.<ref name="oss-fs-why">{{cite web|url=http://www.dwheeler.com/oss_fs_why.html |title=Why Open Source Software / Free Software (OSS/FS, FLOSS, or FOSS)? Look at the Numbers! |date=November 14, 2005|first=David|last=Wheeler |accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref> As a result of its many problems, some security experts, including [[Bruce Schneier]], recommend that users stop using Internet Explorer for normal browsing, and switch to a different browser instead.<ref name="schneiersuggestion">{{cite web |url=http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2004/12/safe_personal_c.html |first=Bruce |last=Schneier |title=Safe Personal Computing |date=December 12, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref> -Several notable technology columnists have suggested the same, including [[The Wall Street Journal]]'s [[Walt Mossberg]],<ref name="mossberg">{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109528585699018983-email,00.html |title=How to Protect Yourself From Vandals, Viruses If You Use Windows |date=September 16, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07 |publisher=The Wall Street Journal |work=Personal Technology |last=Mossberg |first=Walt}}</ref> and eWeek's Steven Vaughan-Nichols.<ref name="vaughannichols1">{{cite web |url=http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1617931,00.asp |title=Internet Explorer Is Too Dangerous to Keep Using |last=Vaughan-Nichols |first=Steven |publisher=[[eWeek]] |date=June 28, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07 |work=Linux & Open Source &ndash; Opinions}}</ref> On July 6, 2004, US-CERT released an exploit report in which the last of seven workarounds was to use a different browser, especially when visiting untrusted sites.<ref name="uscert2004">{{cite web |url=http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878 |title=Vulnerability Note VU#713878 |publisher=[[United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team|US-CERT]] |date=June 9, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref> +Several notable technology columnists have suggested the same, including ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'''s [[Walt Mossberg]],<ref name="mossberg">{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB109528585699018983-email,00.html |title=How to Protect Yourself From Vandals, Viruses If You Use Windows |date=September 16, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |publisher=[[Dow Jones & Company]] |last=Mossberg |first=Walt}}</ref> and eWeek's Steven Vaughan-Nichols.<ref name="vaughannichols1">{{cite web |url=http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1617931,00.asp |title=Internet Explorer Is Too Dangerous to Keep Using |last=Vaughan-Nichols |first=Steven |work=[[eWeek]] |date=June 28, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07 |work=Linux & Open Source – Opinions}}</ref> On July 6, 2004, US-CERT released an exploit report in which the last of seven workarounds was to use a different browser, especially when visiting untrusted sites.<ref name="uscert2004">{{cite web |url=http://www.kb.cert.org/vuls/id/713878 |title=Vulnerability Note VU#713878 |work=[[United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team|US-CERT]] |date=June 9, 2004 |accessdate=2006-04-07}}</ref> -==Market share== +== Market share == {{msieshare1}} {{Main|Usage share of web browsers|Browser wars}} -It was the most widely used web browser during its tenure (surpassing [[Internet Explorer 5|Internet Explorer 5.x]]), attaining a peak in usage share during 2002 and 2003 in the high 80s, and together with other versions up to 95%.{{Citation needed|date=October 2010}} It only slowly declined up to 2007, when it lost about half its market share to [[Internet Explorer 7|Windows Internet Explorer 7]] and [[Mozilla Firefox]] between late 2006 to 2008. +It was the most widely used web browser during its tenure (surpassing [[Internet Explorer 5]].x), attaining a peak in usage share during 2002 and 2003 in the high 80s, and together with other versions up to 95%.{{Citation needed |date=October 2010}} It only slowly declined up to 2007, when it lost about half its market share to [[Internet Explorer 7|Windows Internet Explorer 7]] and [[Mozilla Firefox]] between late 2006 to 2008. -IE6 remained more popular than its successor in business use for more than a year after IE7 came out.<ref name="Dailytech">{{cite news |last=Mick |first=Jason |title=Firefox Makes Big Gains In Business at IE's Expense |publisher=[[DailyTech]] |date=2008-04-03 |url= http://www.dailytech.com/Firefox+Makes+Big+Gains+In+Business+in+at+IEs+Expense/article11340.htm |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> A 2008 DailyTech article noted, ''"A Survey found 55.2% of companies still use IE 6 as of December 2007",'' while ''"IE 7 only has a 23.4 percent adoption rate"''.<ref name="Dailytech"/> +IE6 remained more popular than its successor in business use for more than a year after IE7 came out.<ref name="Dailytech">{{cite news |last=Mick |first=Jason |title=Firefox Makes Big Gains In Business at IE's Expense |work=[[DailyTech]] |date=2008-04-03 |url= http://www.dailytech.com/Firefox+Makes+Big+Gains+In+Business+in+at+IEs+Expense/article11340.htm |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> A 2008 DailyTech article noted, ''"A Survey found 55.2% of companies still use IE 6 as of December 2007",'' while ''"IE 7 only has a 23.4 percent adoption rate"''.<ref name="Dailytech" /> -Net Applications estimated IE6 market share at almost 39% for September, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Browser Share Trend – Market Share |publisher=[[Net Applications]] |date=September 2008 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=3&qpdt=1&qpct=4&qptimeframe=M&qpsp=83&qpnp=11 |accessdate=2008-10-05}} The date range spans October, 2006&mdash;September, 2008.</ref> According to the same source, IE7 users migrate faster to IE8 than users of its predecessor IE6 does. This led to IE6 once again becoming the most widely used browser version. During the summer and fall of 2009 and 8 years after its introduction, IE6 once again held the top spot in terms of browser market share.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=3 |title=Top Browser Share Trend |date=February 9, 2010 |publisher=[[Hitslink]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +Net Applications estimated IE6 market share at almost 39% for September, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top Browser Share Trend – Market Share |work=[[Net Applications]] |date=September 2008 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/report.aspx?qprid=3&qpdt=1&qpct=4&qptimeframe=M&qpsp=83&qpnp=11 |accessdate=2008-10-05}} The date range spans October, 2006—September, 2008.</ref> According to the same source, IE7 users migrate faster to IE8 than users of its predecessor IE6 does. This led to IE6 once again becoming the most widely used browser version. During the summer and fall of 2009 and 8 years after its introduction, IE6 once again held the top spot in terms of browser market share.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=3 |title=Top Browser Share Trend |date=February 9, 2010 |work=[[Hitslink]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -As of February 2010, estimates of IE6's global market share ranged from 10-20%.<ref name="W3Counter">{{cite web |url=http://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php |title=Global Web Stats |publisher=[[W3Counter]] |date=February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref><ref name="StatCounter">{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |publisher=[[StatCounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-ww-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref><ref name="Net Applications">{{cite web |title=Browser Version Market Share |publisher=[[Net Applications]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2 |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref> Nonetheless, IE6 continues to maintain a plurality or even majority presence in the browser market of certain countries, notably China<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 12 Browser Versions in China |publisher=[[Statcounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-CN-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=20 March 2010}}</ref> and South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 12 Browser Versions in South Korea |publisher=[[Statcounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-KR-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=20 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Korea Paying Price for Microsoft Monoculture |work=KoreaToday |publisher=The Korea Times |date=September 23, 2009 |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/09/123_52401.html}}</ref> +As of February 2010, estimates of IE6's global market share ranged from 10-20%.<ref name="W3Counter">{{cite web |url=http://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php |title=Global Web Stats |work=W3Counter |date=February 2010 |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref><ref name="StatCounter">{{cite web |title=StatCounter Global Stats |publisher=[[StatCounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-ww-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref><ref name="Net Applications">{{cite web |title=Browser Version Market Share |work=[[Net Applications]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2 |accessdate=2010-03-20}}</ref> Nonetheless, IE6 continues to maintain a plurality or even majority presence in the browser market of certain countries, notably China<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 12 Browser Versions in China |work=[[StatCounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-CN-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=20 March 2010}}</ref> and South Korea.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 12 Browser Versions in South Korea |work=[[StatCounter]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://gs.statcounter.com/#browser_version-KR-monthly-201002-201002-bar |accessdate=20 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Korea Paying Price for Microsoft Monoculture |work=[[The Korea Times]] |date=September 23, 2009 |url=http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/09/123_52401.html}}</ref> -[[Google Apps]] and [[YouTube]] dropped support for IE6 in March 2010,<ref name="GoogleDropSupport">{{cite web |title=Modern browsers for modern applications |publisher=Google |date=January 2010 |url=http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/01/modern-browsers-for-modern-applications.html |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="YouTubeDropSupport">{{cite news |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |title=YouTube to kill IE6 support on March 13 |publisher=Ars Technica |date=February 2010 |url=http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/02/youtube-to-kill-ie6-support-on-march-13.ars |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref> followed by [[Facebook]] chat in September.<ref name="FacebookDropSupport">{{cite web |title=Chat with No Interruptions |publisher=[[Facebook]] |date=August 2010 |url=http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=420101377130 |accessdate=26 August 2010}}</ref> +[[Google Apps]] and [[YouTube]] dropped support for IE6 in March 2010,<ref name="GoogleDropSupport">{{cite web |title=Modern browsers for modern applications |publisher=[[Google]] |date=January 2010 |url=http://googleenterprise.blogspot.com/2010/01/modern-browsers-for-modern-applications.html |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref><ref name="YouTubeDropSupport">{{cite web |last=Protalinski |first=Emil |title=YouTube to kill IE6 support on March 13 |work=[[Ars Technica]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |date=February 2010 |url=http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2010/02/youtube-to-kill-ie6-support-on-march-13.ars |accessdate=5 March 2011}}</ref> followed by [[Facebook]] chat in September.<ref name="FacebookDropSupport">{{cite web |first=Rodrigo |last=Schmidt |title=Chat with No Interruptions |publisher=[[Facebook]] |date=August 2010 |url=http://blog.facebook.com/blog.php?post=420101377130 |accessdate=26 August 2010}}</ref> -On January 3, 2012, Microsoft announced that usage of IE6 in the [[United States]] had dropped below 1%.<ref>{{cite news |title=IE6 Usage Drops Below 1 Percent in U.S. |publisher=PC Magazine |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398345,00.asp |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref> +On January 3, 2012, Microsoft announced that usage of IE6 in the [[United States]] had dropped below 1%.<ref>{{cite web |title=IE6 Usage Drops Below 1 Percent in U.S. |work=[[PC Magazine]] |url=http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2398345,00.asp |accessdate=2012-01-04}}</ref> As of August 2012, IE6 is still the most popular IE web browser in [[China]]. It is also the second most used browser overall with a total market share of 22.41%, just behind the Chinese-made [[360 Secure Browser]] which has 26.96%.<ref>http://www.techinasia.com/china-safari-browser-market-share-2012/ Techninasia</ref> -On July 2013 [[Net Applications]] reported the global market share of IE6 amongst all Internet Explorer browsers to be 10.9%.<ref>{{cite news |last=Keizer |first=Gregg |title=IE10 pushes past predecessor to take second place among Microsoft's browsers |publisher=Computerworld |date=2013-07-03 |url= http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9240547/IE10_pushes_past_predecessor_to_take_second_place_among_Microsoft_s_browsers?source=rss_keyword_edpicks&google_editors_picks=true |accessdate=2013-07-03}}</ref> +On July 2013 [[Net Applications]] reported the global market share of IE6 amongst all Internet Explorer browsers to be 10.9%.<ref>{{cite web |last=Keizer |first=Gregg |title=IE10 pushes past predecessor to take second place among Microsoft's browsers |work=[[Computerworld]] |publisher=[[IDG]] |date=2013-07-03 |url= http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9240547/IE10_pushes_past_predecessor_to_take_second_place_among_Microsoft_s_browsers?source=rss_keyword_edpicks&google_editors_picks=true |accessdate=2013-07-03}}</ref> -==Criticism== -<!--{{POV|date=June 2009}} Disabled because it's CRITICISM and is NEVER supposed to be neutral. DUH!--> +== Criticism == +<!--{{POV |date=June 2009}} Disabled because it's CRITICISM and is NEVER supposed to be neutral. DUH!--> A common criticism of Internet Explorer is of the speed at which fixes are released after discovery of the security problems. @@ -85,50 +85,50 @@ [[File:Unicode rendering IE.PNG|thumb|[[Internet Explorer]] also has troubles rendering [[Unicode]] characters.]] -In May 2006, [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] rated Internet Explorer 6 the eighth worst tech product of all time.<ref name="PCWorld"/> A certain degree of complacency has been alleged against Microsoft over IE6. With near 90% of the browser market the motive for innovation was not strongly present, resulting in the 5 year time between the IE6's introduction and its replacement with IE7. This was a contributing factor for the rapid rise of the [[free software]] alternative [[Mozilla Firefox]]. +In May 2006, [[PC World (magazine)|PC World]] rated Internet Explorer 6 the eighth worst tech product of all time.<ref name="PCWorld" /> A certain degree of complacency has been alleged against Microsoft over IE6. With near 90% of the browser market the motive for innovation was not strongly present, resulting in the 5 year time between the IE6's introduction and its replacement with IE7. This was a contributing factor for the rapid rise of the [[free software]] alternative [[Mozilla Firefox]]. Unlike most other browsers currently in use, IE6 does not fully nor properly support [[Cascading Style Sheets#CSS 2|CSS version 2]], which makes it difficult for web developers to ensure compatibility with the browser without degrading the experience for users of more modern browsers. Developers often have to resort to strategies such as [[CSS filter|CSS hacks]], [[conditional comments]], or other forms of [[browser sniffing]] to make their websites work in IE6. -Additionally, IE6 lacks support for [[alpha transparency]] in [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] images, instead of removing all transparency and displaying the image with a solid colour background (grey unless defined in a PNG bKGD chunk).{{clarify|date=April 2012}} There is a workaround by way of Microsoft's proprietary AlphaImageLoader, but it is more complicated to use and not wholly comparable in function.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/294714 |title=Microsoft Help and Support |work=PNG Files Do Not Show Transparency in Internet Explorer |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=July 19, 2007}}</ref> +Additionally, IE6 lacks support for [[alpha transparency]] in [[Portable Network Graphics|PNG]] images, instead of removing all transparency and displaying the image with a solid colour background (grey unless defined in a PNG bKGD chunk).{{clarify |date=April 2012}} There is a workaround by way of Microsoft's proprietary AlphaImageLoader, but it is more complicated to use and not wholly comparable in function.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/294714 |work=Microsoft Help and Support |title=PNG Files Do Not Show Transparency in Internet Explorer |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=July 19, 2007}}</ref> Internet Explorer 6 has also been criticized due to its instability. For example, the following code on a website would cause a program crash in IE6: -<source lang="html4strict"><style>*{position:relative}</style><table><input></table></source> +<syntaxhighlight lang="html4strict"><style>*{position:relative}</style><table><input></table></syntaxhighlight> or -<source lang=javascript><script>for (x in open);</script></source> +<syntaxhighlight lang=javascript><script>for (x in open);</script></syntaxhighlight> -The user could crash the browser with a single line of code in the [[address bar]], causing a pointer overflow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/internet-explorer-ie6-crash-bug,9592.html|title=How to Make Internet Explorer 6 Crash Instantly|date=February 4, 2010|publisher=Marcus Yam|accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://krebsonsecurity.com/2010/02/another-way-to-ditch-ie6/#more-787|title=Another Way to Ditch IE6|date=February 3, 2010|publisher=Krebs on Security|accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref> +The user could crash the browser with a single line of code in the [[address bar]], causing a pointer overflow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/internet-explorer-ie6-crash-bug,9592.html |title=How to Make Internet Explorer 6 Crash Instantly |date=February 4, 2010 |work=Tom's Hardware |publisher=Purch |first=Marcus |last=Yam |accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://krebsonsecurity.com/2010/02/another-way-to-ditch-ie6/#more-787 |title=Another Way to Ditch IE6 |date=February 3, 2010 |work=Krebs on Security |accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref> -<source lang="html4strict">ms-its:%F0:</source> +<syntaxhighlight lang="html4strict">ms-its:%F0:</syntaxhighlight> [[File:OldIE.jpg|thumb| Nvidia's website does not support Internet Explorer 6]] -There are several campaigns aiming to rid Internet Explorer 6, which is still used by 4.92%<ref>http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2&qpcustomd=0</ref> of Internet surfers,<ref>{{cite web |title=Browser Version Market Share |publisher=[[Hitslink]] |date=2012-08-28 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2&qpcustomd=0 |accessdate=2012-08-29}}</ref> from the browser market: -*In July 2008, 37signals announced it would phase out support for IE6 beginning October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://37signals.blogs.com/products/2008/07/basecamp-phasin.html |title=Phasing out support for IE 6 across all 37signals products |date=July 3, 2008 |publisher=37signals |accessdate=11 June 2010}}</ref> -*In February 2009, some Norwegian sites began hosting campaigns with the same aim.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/norwegian-websi.html |title=Norwegian Websites Declare War on IE 6 |last=Calore |first=Michael |date=February 19, 2009 |publisher=Wired |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -*In March 2009, a Danish anti-IE6 campaign was launched.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comon.dk/nyheder/Danske-medier-lover-doed-over-Internet-Explorer-6-1.138882.html |title=Danske medier lover død over Internet Explorer 6 |last=Nielsen |first=Jens |date=27 March 2009 |publisher=Comon |language=Danish |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -*In January 2010, the German Government, and subsequently the French Government each advised their citizens to move away from IE6.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8465038.stm |title=France joins Germany warning against Internet Explorer |last=Fildes |first=Jonathan |date=18 January 2010 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -*Also in January 2010, Google announced it would no longer support IE6.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8488751.stm |title=Google phases out support for IE6 |date=30 January 2010 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -*In February 2010, British citizens began to petition their Government to stop using IE6,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8492862.stm |title=Pressure mounts to phase out Internet Explorer 6 |date=2 February 2010 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> but this was rejected by the Government in July 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hmg.gov.uk/epetition-responses/petition-view.aspx?epref=ie6upgrade |title=Petition Response |date=31 July 2010 |publisher=HMG |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +There are several campaigns aiming to rid Internet Explorer 6, which is still used by 4.92%<ref>http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2&qpcustomd=0</ref> of Internet surfers,<ref>{{cite web |title=Browser Version Market Share |work=[[Hitslink]] |date=2012-08-28 |url=http://marketshare.hitslink.com/browser-market-share.aspx?qprid=2&qpcustomd=0 |accessdate=2012-08-29}}</ref> from the browser market: +*In July 2008, 37signals announced it would phase out support for IE6 beginning October 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://37signals.blogs.com/products/2008/07/basecamp-phasin.html |title=Phasing out support for IE 6 across all 37signals products |date=July 3, 2008 |work=37signals |accessdate=11 June 2010}}</ref> +*In February 2009, some Norwegian sites began hosting campaigns with the same aim.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/02/norwegian-websi.html |title=Norwegian Websites Declare War on IE 6 |last=Calore |first=Michael |date=February 19, 2009 |work=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |publisher=[[Condé Nast]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +*In March 2009, a Danish anti-IE6 campaign was launched.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.comon.dk/nyheder/Danske-medier-lover-doed-over-Internet-Explorer-6-1.138882.html |title=Danske medier lover død over Internet Explorer 6 |last=Nielsen |first=Jens |date=27 March 2009 |work=Comon |publisher=Computerworld A/S |language=Danish |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +*In January 2010, the German Government, and subsequently the French Government each advised their citizens to move away from IE6.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8465038.stm |title=France joins Germany warning against Internet Explorer |last=Fildes |first=Jonathan |date=18 January 2010 |work=[[BBC Online]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +*Also in January 2010, Google announced it would no longer support IE6.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8488751.stm |title=Google phases out support for IE6 |date=30 January 2010 |work=[[BBC Online]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> +*In February 2010, British citizens began to petition their Government to stop using IE6,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8492862.stm |title=Pressure mounts to phase out Internet Explorer 6 |date=2 February 2010 |work=[[BBC Online]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> but this was rejected by the Government in July 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hmg.gov.uk/epetition-responses/petition-view.aspx?epref=ie6upgrade |title=Petition Response |date=31 July 2010 |work=hmg.gov.uk |publisher=[[Her Majesty's Government|HMG]] |accessdate=9 February 2010}}</ref> -*In March 2010, in agreement with the EU, Microsoft began prompting users of Internet Explorer 6 in the EU with a ballot screen in which they are presented with a list of browsers in random order to select and upgrade to. The website is located at BrowserChoice.eu.<ref>http://www.browserchoice.eu browserchoice.eu</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/288476 |title=Microsoft's European browser ballot now live, Opera benefiting |date=2010-03-04 |first=Brenton |last=Currie |publisher=Digital Journal |accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref> -*In May 2010, Microsoft's Australian division launched a campaign which compared IE6 to 9-year-old milk and urged users to upgrade to IE8.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 |publisher=Microsoft |url=http://www.microsoft.com/australia/technet/ie8milk/ |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ppQ4LeBq |archivedate=May 18, 2010 Australia}}</ref><ref>[http://www.computerworlduk.com/technology/internet/applications/news/index.cfm?newsid=20294 Microsoft: Internet Explorer 6 past expiry date] Computerworld US, May 17, 2010</ref><ref>[http://windows7news.com/2010/05/16/microsoft-compares-internet-explorer-6-to-spoiled-milk/ Microsoft Compares Internet Explorer 6 to Spoiled Milk] Windows 7 News, May 16, 2010</ref> +*In March 2010, in agreement with the EU, Microsoft began prompting users of Internet Explorer 6 in the EU with a ballot screen in which they are presented with a list of browsers in random order to select and upgrade to. The website is located at BrowserChoice.eu.<ref>http://www.browserchoice.eu browserchoice.eu</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/288476 |title=Microsoft's European browser ballot now live, Opera benefiting |date=2010-03-04 |first=Brenton |last=Currie |work=[[Digital Journal]] |accessdate=2010-03-06}}</ref> +*In May 2010, Microsoft's Australian division launched a campaign which compared IE6 to 9-year-old milk and urged users to upgrade to IE8.<ref>{{cite web |title=Upgrade to Internet Explorer 8 |publisher=Microsoft |url=http://www.microsoft.com/australia/technet/ie8milk/ |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5ppQ4LeBq |archivedate=May 18, 2010}}</ref><ref>[http://www.computerworlduk.com/technology/internet/applications/news/index.cfm?newsid=20294 Microsoft: Internet Explorer 6 past expiry date] Computerworld US, May 17, 2010</ref><ref>[http://windows7news.com/2010/05/16/microsoft-compares-internet-explorer-6-to-spoiled-milk/ Microsoft Compares Internet Explorer 6 to Spoiled Milk] Windows 7 News, May 16, 2010</ref> -With the increasing lack of compatibility with modern web standards, larger websites are starting to remove support for IE6, including [[YouTube]]<ref name="TechRadar"/> and their parent company [[Google]];<ref name="GoogleRemSup" /> however, with large company IT support teams forcing staff to use IE6, it is unlikely Microsoft will completely remove support for the aging browser any time in the near future.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/08/orange_and_ie6/ |title=Orange UK exiles Firefox from call centres |date=2009-07-08 |first=Cade |last=Metz |publisher=The Register |accessdate=2009-07-26}}</ref> Microsoft has themselves, despite admitting to some of its many flaws, stated that they will support IE6 until Windows XP SP3 support is removed, meaning IE6 will be officially supported until 2014, 13 years after its release.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8196242.stm |title=Microsoft backs long life for IE6 |date=2009-08-13 |publisher=BBC |first=Maggie |last=Shiels |accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> However they have now started their own campaign to encourage users to stop using IE6.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ie6countdown.com/ |title=IE6 Countdown |date=2011-03-05 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2011-03-05}}</ref> +With the increasing lack of compatibility with modern web standards, larger websites are starting to remove support for IE6, including [[YouTube]]<ref name="TechRadar" /> and their parent company [[Google]];<ref name="GoogleRemSup" /> however, with large company IT support teams forcing staff to use IE6, it is unlikely Microsoft will completely remove support for the aging browser any time in the near future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2009/07/08/orange_and_ie6/ |title=Orange UK exiles Firefox from call centres |date=2009-07-08 |first=Cade |last=Metz |work=[[The Register]] |publisher=Situation Publishing Ltd |accessdate=2009-07-26}}</ref> Microsoft has themselves, despite admitting to some of its many flaws, stated that they will support IE6 until Windows XP SP3 support is removed, meaning IE6 will be officially supported until 2014, 13 years after its release.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8196242.stm |title=Microsoft backs long life for IE6 |date=2009-08-13 |work=[[BBC Online]] |publisher=[[BBC]] |first=Maggie |last=Shiels |accessdate=2009-08-21}}</ref> However they have now started their own campaign to encourage users to stop using IE6.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://ie6countdown.com/ |title=IE6 Countdown |date=2011-03-05 |publisher=Microsoft |accessdate=2011-03-05}}</ref> -==Security framework== -{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2010}} +== Security framework == +{{Unreferenced section |date=March 2010}} Internet Explorer uses a zone-based security framework, which means that sites are grouped based upon certain conditions. IE allows the restriction of broad areas of functionality, and also allows specific functions to be restricted. The administration of Internet Explorer is accomplished through the Internet Properties control panel. This utility also administers the Internet Explorer framework as it is implemented by other applications. Patches and updates to the browser are released periodically and made available through [[Windows Update]] web site. [[Windows XP Service Pack 2]] adds several important security features to Internet Explorer, including a popup blocker and additional security for ActiveX controls. ActiveX support remains in Internet Explorer although access to the "Local Machine Zone" is denied by default since Service Pack 2. However, once an ActiveX control runs and is authorized by the user, it can gain all the privileges of the user, instead of being granted limited privileges as [[Java (programming language)|Java]] or [[JavaScript]] do. This was later solved in the [[Windows Vista]] version of IE 7, which supported running the browser in a low-permission mode, making malware unable to run unless expressly granted permission by the user. -==Quirks mode== +== Quirks mode == {{Main|Quirks mode}} -Internet Explorer 6 dropped ''Compatibility Mode'', which allowed [[Internet Explorer 4]]<ref>{{cite web |title=How to install and use Compatibility mode in Internet Explorer 5 or 5.5 (KB197311) |work=Microsoft Help and Support |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2007-01-23 |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197311/EN-US |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> to be run side by side with 5.x.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unable to Use Internet Explorer 4.0 Compatibility Mode (KB237787) |work=Microsoft Help and Support |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2007-01-24 |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/237787/EN-US |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref><ref name="mshistory">{{cite web |last=Hardmeier |first=Sandi |title=The History of Internet Explorer |work=Internet Explorer Community |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2005-08-25 |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/historyofie.mspx |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> Instead, IE6 introduced quirks mode, which causes it to emulate many behaviors of IE 5.5.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chao|first=Ingo|author2=Holly Bergevin |author3=Bruno Fassino |author4=John Gallant |author5=Georg Sørtun |author6=Philippe Wittenbergh |title=Quirks mode in IE 6 and IE 7|publisher=satzansatz.de|date=June 3, 2006|url=http://www.satzansatz.de/cssd/quirksmode.html|accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> Rather than being activated by the user, quirks mode is automatically and silently activated when viewing web pages that contain an old or invalid [[DOCTYPE]] (or none at all). This feature was later added to all other major browsers to maximize compatibility with old or poorly-coded web pages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quirksmode.org/css/quirksmode.html|title=Quirks Mode and Strict Mode|publisher=[[QuirksMode]]|accessdate=2010-02-09|first=Peter-Paul|last=Koch}}</ref> +Internet Explorer 6 dropped ''Compatibility Mode'', which allowed [[Internet Explorer 4]]<ref>{{cite web |title=How to install and use Compatibility mode in Internet Explorer 5 or 5.5 (KB197311) |work=Microsoft Help and Support |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2007-01-23 |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/197311/EN-US |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> to be run side by side with 5.x.<ref>{{cite web |title=Unable to Use Internet Explorer 4.0 Compatibility Mode (KB237787) |work=Microsoft Help and Support |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2007-01-24 |url=http://support.microsoft.com/kb/237787/EN-US |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref><ref name="mshistory">{{cite web |last=Hardmeier |first=Sandi |title=The History of Internet Explorer |work=Internet Explorer Community |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=2005-08-25 |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/community/columns/historyofie.mspx |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> Instead, IE6 introduced quirks mode, which causes it to emulate many behaviors of IE 5.5.<ref>{{cite web|last=Chao|first=Ingo|author2=Holly Bergevin |author3=Bruno Fassino |author4=John Gallant |author5=Georg Sørtun |author6=Philippe Wittenbergh |title=Quirks mode in IE 6 and IE 7 |work=satzansatz.de |date=June 3, 2006|url=http://www.satzansatz.de/cssd/quirksmode.html |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> Rather than being activated by the user, quirks mode is automatically and silently activated when viewing web pages that contain an old or invalid [[DOCTYPE]] (or none at all). This feature was later added to all other major browsers to maximize compatibility with old or poorly-coded web pages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.quirksmode.org/css/quirksmode.html |title=Quirks Mode and Strict Mode |work=QuirksMode.org |accessdate=2010-02-09|first=Peter-Paul|last=Koch}}</ref> -==Supported platforms== -Internet Explorer 6.0 supports [[Windows NT 4.0]] (Service Pack 6a only), [[Windows 98]], [[Windows Me]], [[Windows 2000]], [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]]. The Service Pack 1 update supports all of these versions, but Security Version 1<ref name="sv1">SV1 stands for "Security Version 1", referring to the set of security enhancements made for that release.{{Ref label|MSDN|I|}} This version of Internet Explorer is more popularly known as IE6 SP2, given that it is included with Windows XP Service Pack 2, but this can lead to confusion when discussing Windows Server 2003, which includes the same functionality in the SP1 update to that operating system. &mdash;<br>{{note|MSDN}}{{cite web |title=XPSP2 and its slightly updated user agent string |work=The Windows Internet Explorer Weblog |publisher=[[Microsoft]] via [[Microsoft Developer Network|MSDN]] |date=2004-09-02 |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2004/09/02/224902.aspx |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> is only available as part [[Windows XP Service Pack 2]] and [[Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1]] and later service packs for those versions. Versions after [[Windows XP]] include [[Internet Explorer 7]] and higher only. +== Supported platforms == +Internet Explorer 6.0 supports [[Windows NT 4.0]] (Service Pack 6a only), [[Windows 98]], [[Windows Me]], [[Windows 2000]], [[Windows XP]] and [[Windows Server 2003]]. The Service Pack 1 update supports all of these versions, but Security Version 1<ref name="sv1">SV1 stands for "Security Version 1", referring to the set of security enhancements made for that release.{{Ref label|MSDN|I|}} This version of Internet Explorer is more popularly known as IE6 SP2, given that it is included with Windows XP Service Pack 2, but this can lead to confusion when discussing Windows Server 2003, which includes the same functionality in the SP1 update to that operating system. —<br />{{note|MSDN}}{{cite web |title=XPSP2 and its slightly updated user agent string |work=The Windows Internet Explorer Weblog |publisher=[[Microsoft]] via [[Microsoft Developer Network|MSDN]] |date=2004-09-02 |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/ie/archive/2004/09/02/224902.aspx |accessdate=2008-10-05}}</ref> is only available as part [[Windows XP Service Pack 2]] and [[Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1]] and later service packs for those versions. Versions after [[Windows XP]] include [[Internet Explorer 7]] and higher only. -==Release history== +== Release history == {| class="wikitable" |- ! Version @@ -163,11 +163,11 @@ |- | 6.0 SP3 | April 21, 2008 -| Latest updates included with XP SP3. Support ended on April 8, 2014 on Windows XP machines. Support will cease entirely with the end of support for Windows Server 2003 on July 14, 2015.<ref name="WinServer2K3"/> +| Latest updates included with XP SP3. Support ended on April 8, 2014 on Windows XP machines. Support will cease entirely with the end of support for Windows Server 2003 on July 14, 2015.<ref name="WinServer2K3" /> | [[Windows XP SP3]] |} -==System requirements== +== System requirements == IE6 requires at least:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/evaluation/sysreqs/default.mspx |title=Internet Explorer 6 SP1 System Requirements |publisher=[[Microsoft]] |date=27 August 2001 |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20101119015518/http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/ie6/evaluation/sysreqs/ie6.mspx |archivedate=19 November 2010}}</ref> * [[Intel i486|486/66 MHz processor]]. * [[Windows 98]] or [[Windows NT 4]] with SP6a @@ -176,17 +176,17 @@ * RAM: 64 MB * Free disk space: Approximately 8.7–12.7 MB -==See also== +== See also == *[[Browser timeline]] *[[Comparison of web browsers]] *[[History of the Internet]] *[[List of web browsers]] -==References== +== References == {{Reflist|30em}} -==External links== -*[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie IEBlog] &mdash; The weblog of the Internet Explorer team +== External links == +*[http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ie IEBlog] — The weblog of the Internet Explorer team *[http://ie6countdown.com/ IE 6 Countdown webpage by Microsoft] *{{cite web | title=Microsoft Windows Family Home Page | work=Windows History: Internet Explorer History | url=http://www.microsoft.com/windows/WinHistoryIE.mspx}} *{{cite web | title=Microsoft Knowledge Base | work=How to determine which version of Internet Explorer is installed | url=http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=164539}} '