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Thursday, March 10, 2011

Internet Explorer 6 Must Die Quickly: 10 Reasons Why

 

Microsoft made a surprising move recently, saying that it wants to unite people around the globe in finally putting Internet Explorer 6 to rest. The company even created a Website where people can track Internet Explorer use around the world. Currently, according to the site, Internet Explorer 6 is being used by 12 percent of the world. Microsoft would like to see that figure drop to less than one percent as soon as possible.
Microsoft’s desire to see Internet Explorer 6 die is something that everyone should get behind. Lest one forgets, Internet Explorer 6 was an absolute mess that caused security problems for anybody who used it anywhere in the world. The browser is still an issue that folks are dealing with. The time has come for Internet Explorer 6 to die. The browser has no value any longer, and it’s proving to be even more of a problem than it was when it first launched.
Read on to find out why Internet Explorer 6 should die as quickly as possible.

1. The obvious: security
Although Microsoft likes to point to “privacy,” the real issue the company should see with Internet Explorer 6 is its insecurity. People around the globe that use the browser are far more likely to get hit with malware than those who use current-generation browsers, such as Firefox or even Internet Explorer 8. The browser was designed for a time when security threats weren’t as sophisticated as they are now. The longer people stick with Internet Explorer 6, the greater their chances of finding that out.

2. It’s too slow

Try to surf the Web on Internet Explorer 6. Chances are those who are used to current-generation browsers will be disgusted by what they find. Internet Explorer 6 is ridiculously slow. The simple experience of surfing the Web is practically ruined with the software. Considering that flying around the Internet as quickly as possible is one of the most important attractions of Web use, Internet Explorer 6 just doesn’t seem like the best option for, well, anyone.

3. The migration to Internet Explorer 8 isn’t bad

Some companies are loath to switch to Internet Explorer 6 because they fear that the applications that they currently rely on won’t work with Internet Explorer 8. But as Microsoft points out on its “Internet Explorer 6 Countdown” page, the migration isn’t as bad as companies think. Not only are there other solutions out there that might do a better job, but the incremental benefit of moving to the new browser might actually prove more appealing than sticking with outdated software. Although the move might seem rather troublesome at first glance, companies shouldn’t be scared to leave Internet Explorer 6 behind.

4. Google Chrome is a better option
Microsoft undoubtedly wouldn’t agree with such a sentiment, but part of the reason Internet Explorer 6 should die has to do with Google Chrome. The search giant’s Web browser is an outstanding alternative to Internet Explorer 6, and every other version of Microsoft’s software. Chrome is fast, it has a nice user interface, and it’s quite secure. It’s the browser that many more people should be using.

5. It puts everyone at risk

As noted above, Internet Explorer 6 can cause all kinds of security problems for its users. But it’s worth noting that when any computer around the world becomes infected with malware, the rest of the PC community is at risk. The Internet is the common tie that binds Windows PCs around the world. The more computers that are infected with malicious files, the higher the chances of other PCs being affected. Killing off Internet Explorer 6 is as much about protecting the world as it is about protecting individuals.

6. The crash factor

From launch, Internet Explorer 6 proved to be a major issue for users. The software wasn’t nearly as stable as it could have been and surfing to some Websites caused crashes for no apparent reason. Through a series of patches, Microsoft addressed some of those problems, but many more remain. Internet Explorer 6 is too unstable for it to warrant its survival any longer.

7. It’s a relic of a bad time

Microsoft’s desire to get rid of Internet Explorer 6 is quite understandable. The browser is a relic of a time when the company was unable to do much (if anything) in its fight against cyber-criminals. It’s a stain on Microsoft’s record that the company wants users to forget about as quickly as possible. Internet Explorer 6 was central to Microsoft’s escalating war with cyber-criminals that permanently tarnished the company’s reputation as a producer of reliable enterprise software. As this aged browser shows today, malicious hackers and cybercriminals won that battle quite handily.

8. Major sites are ditching it

Internet Explorer 6 just isn’t relevant any longer. In fact, Google announced last year that it would no longer support Internet Explorer 6 for some of its sites. YouTube no longer supports Internet Explorer 6, as well. Google realizes that the browser must be eradicated from the Web. And it’s doing its part to help push that along. Kudos to Google. And kudos to increasing number of sites that are phasing out their support for Internet Explorer 6.

9. Privacy is a going concern
Although services like Facebook, Foursquare, and Twitter are trying to take aim at a user’s desire to be private while surfing the Web, there are many that still appreciate strong privacy settings. It’s why such settings have found their way to Firefox, Chrome, and even Internet Explorer 8. But Internet Explorer 6 lacks privacy settings. Microsoft’s InPrivate Browsing option is nowhere to be found in Internet Explorer 6, though it is available in Internet Explorer 8. If that isn’t a good enough reason to see Microsoft’s outdated browser die, what is?

10. Microsoft doesn’t even want it
All of these items help to bolster the single biggest reason Internet Explorer 6 must die: Microsoft wants no part of it. Think about that. The company that developed the browser, supported it all these years, and tried to get customers to adopt it, is now saying the time has come for it to die. That’s not exactly a seal of approval. It’s probably best for people around the globe to realize that, and acknowledge that the time has come for Internet Explorer 6 to be put to rest.

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