Internet Explorer browser

The recent hacking attack that prompted Google's threat to leave China is underscoring the heightened dangers of previously undisclosed computer security flaws -- and renewing debate over buying and selling information about them in the black market.

Because no fix was available, the linchpin in the attack was one of the worst kinds of security holes. Criminals treasure these types of "zero day" security vulnerabilities because they are the closest to a sure thing and virtually guarantee the success of a shrewdly crafted attack.

A powerful new type of Internet attack works like a telephone tap, except operates between computers and Web sites they trust.

Hackers at the Black Hat and DefCon security conferences have revealed a serious flaw in the way Web browsers weed out untrustworthy sites and block anybody from seeing them. If a criminal infiltrates a network, he can set up a secret eavesdropping post and capture credit card numbers, passwords and other sensitive data flowing between computers on that network and sites their browsers have deemed safe.

Microsoft faces charges of breaking antimonopoly laws in Russia. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) of the Russian Federation initiated a case against the software behemoth alleging that Microsoft violated Russian law when it took its Windows XP operating system off new PCs and the boxed versions off store shelves.

Microsoft will argue that a European Commission proposal that it promote competing browsers in its Windows operating system would strengthen the dominance of its rival Google in the global search-advertising market.

The company will make the argument at a June hearing in Brussels as part of an antitrust inquiry about the packaging of its Internet Explorer browser with Windows, which powers more than 90 percent of the world's personal computers.

European antitrust regulators could levy their largest fine ever in a market-dominance case against Intel, in what would be their latest shot at leveling the playing field in the global technology market.

The size of the penalty will be discussed by representatives from 27 EU governments in early May. The decision would follow landmark rulings by the European Commission against Microsoft, which also faces a continuing inquiry over its Internet Explorer browser, and a settlement with International Business Machines, which is also again the subject of a complaint.

Microsoft Corp. on Wednesday confirmed it has submitted a formal response to European Union charges that tying the Internet Explorer browser to its Windows operating system violates antitrust rules.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company can also seek a hearing before EU officials move toward a final decision that can fine a company up to 10 percent of annual global revenue or order it to change the way it does business.

If you're looking for a good old-fashioned product war, you're in luck: The browser wars are back on. Last week, Microsoft released the long-awaited update to its Internet Explorer browser. Apple, Mozilla and Google, meanwhile, have lately issued prerelease versions of their coming applications.

I recently loaded up all four browsers and put them through my rigorous daily Web grind. The good news is that they're all pretty wonderful; if you're suffering through a buggy old browser, download one of these now.

But which one? Here, in order from least-great to best, is my assessment:

A Windows enthusiast blog has discovered that Internet Explorer 8 can be turned on or off in a recent Windows 7 build, and Microsoft is now admitting it.

The news of such divorce-ability between the browser and the operating system would be good news for regulatory agencies, especially the European Commission, which reportedly has been considering requiring such a split.

The Catch

The AeroXperience blog found that, in Windows 7 build 7048, the dialog box for turning features on and off includes a checkbox for Internet Explorer 8. It did, however, note a catch.

As in the real-estate market, a key factor in the browser wars has been location, location, location. In the virtual space that browsers inhabit, the most valuable location is to be preinstalled on the computer you buy -- and Google wants that choice location for its Chrome browser.

In its latest move to increase Internet search traffic, Microsoft Corp. has turned to an old rival, Sun Microsystems Inc., for marketing help.

Under the terms of a deal being announced Monday, Sun will promote a Microsoft toolbar for the Internet Explorer browser to U.S.-based Web surfers as they download Sun's Java software -- which is required to view some Web sites. The toolbar has a built-in box for queries to Microsoft's Live Search and buttons that give people access to MSN content.