Internet Explorer in update shock

Having left it languishing practically unaltered for nigh-on four years (an aeon in Internet time), Microsoft has suddely reversed a decision to forego any more Internet Explorer updates until 2006. Now IE7 is due for a beta release in the summer, as MS admits the creaking browser is the chief axis of security vulnerability within Windows.

IE7 promises to lock down the many holes opened up by gleeful hackers but cynics wonder whether the announcement is more in response to rival browser Firefox's rapid gains at IE6's expense. Cynics further suggest this is a typical MS stunt: promise a product and the market will avoid shifting to a rival - but the product then rarely turns up on time.