Internet Explorer was created by Microsoft in 1995 and has had 9 versions. It was originally an add-on package for Windows 95 and relied on Mosaic. It faced antitrust concerns in version 4.0 and has security flaws, but remains popular.
Internet Explorer® is an Internet browser that dates back to the dawn of the public Internet in 1995. Created by the computer giant Microsoft®, Internet Explorer® or IE® released 9 versions between its first program and the 2010 program, called Internet Explorer 9 ®. Originally part of an add-on package that ran with the Windows 95® operating system, the Web Browser is now available as a free online download.
According to Internet experts, the original program relied heavily on features available in a web browser called Mosaic, developed at the University of Illinois by the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). The distributor of this first browser allowed Microsoft® to adapt the program to better fit its new operating system. Microsoft® quickly retooled the browser and released it as Internet Explorer®.
Modern users might be surprised to find how few features were available on the original product. The internet of 1995 was a barren place compared to the high-speed marvels of 21st century web browsing. Only in the third version did Internet Explorer® include applications for Internet mail and address books. In the early years, many computer experts viewed Microsoft® as inferior to competing products, but advances in technology and the success of the operating system soon allowed Internet Explorer® to catch up.
Version 4.0 of Internet Explorer® has begun to raise serious antitrust concerns throughout the legal and information technology industries. By incorporating the browser into the operating system, it soon became virtually impossible to run a Windows® system without Internet Explorer® as the sole web browser. Trade restriction concerns soon lead to a large lawsuit, known as United States v. Microsoft®. Although an original ruling called for the computer giant to split into two sections that would separately handle software and operating systems, this ruling was eventually overturned and the case settled with some concessions from Microsoft®.
Internet Explorer® remains one of the most popular Internet browsers on the market; however, it is not without its detractors. Security flaws in the programming are believed by many to leave it quite vulnerable to viruses, spyware and other system attacks. Despite multiple patches being released to cover discovered security holes, some computer experts are warning against using your browser without superior antivirus software. In 2010, the German government issued a warning against using the browser after it discovered a link between security holes in IE® and widespread attacks on internet giant Google.
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