IR7 beta

So Microsoft announced that the new beta Internet Explorer 7 will be out this summer.

Somewhere amongst all that thick self-fellating marketing spin is a tacit admission that Microsoft have failed utterly on security with internet explorer.

Despite arguing that they would not release a new browser before Longhorn, delays on that project, and the fact that IE has become an effective laughing stock in the security industry and turning businesses away from Microsoft products, means that the company has been forced to act.

What they cannot admit is just how slow they have been to even begin addressing the security problems of their flagship browser.

So when the press release makes comments such as “Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft Corp…” it sort of says: “Bill Gates, the person whose sloppy software development policy is the reason why millions of PC’s are infected with spyware, scumware, viruses, trojans, and worms…”.

But…Microsoft are addressing the security issues, aren’t they?

Well, yes. They bought out another anti-virus company last month, as well as the GIANT anti-spyware software company, and offered a beta in January. Last week, the first virus specifically written to disable Microsoft’s anti-spyware was released. Good start.

And what about IR7 itself? Microsoft are modelling it on the back of security changes to SP2.

Okay, so here’s what we should expect, then:

• IR7 fails to address major exploits, which will be targeted immediately
• Anti-virus, database, and FTP programs may fail to run automatically when required while IR7 is running
• Software by vendors such as AOL, Zonealarm, and Norton, will not operate properly when IR7 is installed
• Games software will also fail to run because of IR7
• Versions of Microsoft’s office software that are older than Office XP will not work while IR7 is installed
• IR7 cannot be uninstalled without ripping the heart out of your Windows Operating System
• Media files played via IR7 will not be compatible with Creative soundcards
• Existing spyware will prevent installation of SP7
• IR7 will cripple 10% of UK business operations

I think IR7 promises to be something to look forward to…