Internet Explorer is a cross-platform browser that is itself a platform for advanced Internet technologies.

Continuing developments of Internet Explorer over the years have brought support for Dynamic HTML, the introduction of Security Zones, the concept of an Active Desktop that merges browsing with the normal functionality of the operating system, facilities for channel content, and support of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Later versions of the browser incorporate multiple developers enhancements, including the ability to create retrievable custom DHTML components and define "editable" regions of HTML documents. Additional improvements include enhanced support and performance for frame rendering, improved CSS support, support for vertical text layouts, and a print-preview feature. A specialized version of the browser exists for Microsoft's Pocket PCs.

Key features in the latest major release of Internet Explorer (6) include support for enhanced "explorer bars," integrated instant messaging and media playback, and automated picture resizing. "Explorer Bars" are pre-built interfaces and applications that can be plugged into the user's "personal bar" and enable access to both Microsoft and 3rd party Internet services such as search tools, news services, media file support or calendaring tools. An integrated Instant Messaging component allows MSN Messenger members to send and receive instant messages from directly within their browsers, and the "Media Bar" expands IE5's Radio Bar and allows for the selection and playing of Internet media clips without opening a new window. Finally, the automatic image resizing feature allows retrieved images that are too large for the user's screen to appear scaled to fit in in the browser window without the need for horizontal or vertical scrolling.

A further key enhancement to Internet Explorer 6 are privacy enhancements based on the implementation of P3P compliant features and enhanced cookie management tools. P3P provides a standardized method for Web sites to indicate their privacy practices--especially in relation to the use of 3rd party cookies--directly to the browser electronically, meaning that a browser can identify the site's privacy policies automatically and handle cookies coming from that site based on the user's specifications. For example, a user may specify that any 3rd party cookie originating from a page on a site that has no defined P3P policy must always be rejected.

Internet Explorer 6 is free and available for download now. The latest Mac release is version 5.2 (for Mac OS X only; 5.1 available for other Mac platforms). Internet Explorer 6 is also incorporated within Windows XP.

product submission by DPW Staff

E-Mail this page to a colleague
send info about Internet Explorer

Suggest a link
for the Internet Explorer fact sheet