Internet explorer :

Internet explorer : is a series of graphical web browsers developed by Microsoft and included as
part of the Microsoft Windows line of operating systems, starting in 1995. It was first released as part of the add-on package Plus! for Windows 95 that year. Later versions were available as free downloads, or in service packs, and included in the OEM service releases of Windows 95 and later versions of Windows. Internet Explorer has been the most widely used web browser since 1999, attaining a peak of about 95% usage shareduring 2002 and 2003 with Internet Explorer 5 and Internet Explorer 6.[citation needed] Since its peak of popularity, its usage share has been declining in the face of renewed competition from other web browsers, and is 34.27% as of January 2012. It had been slightly higher, 43.55% as of February 2011, just prior to the release of the current version. Microsoft spent overUS$100 million per year on Internet Explorer in the late 1990s, with over 1000 people working on it by 1999.

History :
1995 : Internet Explorer 1.0Getting online In August 1995, Microsoft releasesWindows 95, which includes key technologies for connecting to the Internet, such as built-in support for dial-up networking and TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol).

1995: Internet Explorer 2.0Growing demand In November 1995, Microsoft releases its first cross-platform browser,Internet Explorer 2.0, which supports both Macintosh and 32-bit Windows. In less than 3 months, Internet Explorer has become one of the most popular browsers and hundreds of thousands of people using Windows 95 have downloaded Internet Explorer since it was first released.

1996: Internet Explorer 3.0The new world of online content

In August 1996, Microsoft releases a rebuilt Internet Explorer technology and free content offers from top websites. Dot com and online are increasingly common in conversations and news stories. Leading media companies scramble to establish themselves on the web and showcase new content online. The browser can display GIF and JPG files, play MIDI sound files, and play streaming audio files without the assistance of helper programs.

1997: Internet Explorer 4.0The power of the PC meets the power of the web Released in October 1997 and designed for Windows 95, Windows 98, andWindows NT, Internet Explorer 4.0 technology is a significant stride forward. For web developers, the addition of Dynamic HTML (DHTML) heralds the next step in web design. DHTML gives web developers more control over content and style and creates opportunities that previously had been possible only with software apps.

1998: Internet Explorer 5.0A web lifestyle emerges With the March 1999 release of Internet Explorer 5.0 technology, developers gain the ability to design richer web apps. DHTML capabilities are expanded, giving web developers more flexibility and power to create interactive websites.

2001: Internet Explorer 6.0Addressing online security and privacy Internet Explorer 6 is released with Windows XP in 2001 as a more private, reliable, and flexible technology than previous versions. Because privacy and security are customer priorities, Microsoft implements tools that support Platform for Privacy Preferences (P3P), a technology under development by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).

2006: Internet Explorer 7.0Building confidence

On October, 18, Microsoft releases Internet Explorer 7. In response to the increase in and changing nature of online security threats, Internet Explorer 7 provides advanced safeguards that help protect against malicious software and phishing attacks. The browser provides better information to people to assist them in making better and safer decisions online.

2009: Internet Explorer 8.0Safety, speed, ease of use

In March 2009, Internet Explorer 8 is released. Its available in 25 languages and again features leading-edge security features in response to the increasing concerns about online safety. In addition to offering improved security and privacy protections, Internet Explorer 8 is one of the fastest browsers on the market.

2011: Internet Explorer 9.0The beauty of the web In 2011, Internet Explorer 9 is released. This version builds on the browser's privacy and security reputation and focuses on performance and making websites look their best. Using the power of modern PC multicore processors, Windows 7, a new user experience, and support for modern standards (such as HTML5),Internet Explorer 9 helps create immersive sites that feel like PC apps themselves.

Advantages:
Availability: Internet Explorer comes for free by default with any Windows operating system distribution. All you need to do is to install Windows and start browsing. Browsing in tabs: This new feature allowed the users to open all their webpages in the same window in what we call tabs (no need to open 20 windows and use a huge amount of memory). Other web browsers obviously have this feature too. Phishing filter: This is probably one of the biggest pluses of IE, because phishing represents a huge security problem for internet users. With the last versions of IE you dont need to be afraid anymore about phishing issues. Application support: As IE was the standard of the industry, it has a support for almost every application available on the internet, and in addition, it has many useful tools built based on it. Reopen last sessions: You now whats the most annoying thing that can happen to you when browsing? Its when you close your browsers by accident and lose all the tabs that you were working on. With IE, this doesnt happen anymore because the newer versions will save them for you and reopen them the next time you open the browser window.

Disadvantages:
Speed: As we are in the speed age, IE doesnt have this luxury. Its considered as one of the slowest browsers compared to other web browsers like Firefox and Chrome. The factor of speed includes: loading WebPages, downloading files from the internet, startup/launching timeetc. Security: This is probably the most annoying thing about internet browsers. One of the main factors that goes into how you choose your web browser is obviously based on its security. Because IE is the main target of internet hackers, Microsoft is struggling trying to fix its vulnerabilities and prevent them from stealing its users private information. Customization: IE has fewer options compared to other web browsers, like Firefox for example. You dont have a lot of choices to customize your privacy settings.