Internet Explorer 8: Microsoft's Biggest Loser

22 March 2009 | 11:11 - By Stefano Boscutti

At a security conference in Vancouver, a hacker exploited a security hole in Microsoft's new Internet Explorer 8 in under two hours, taking control of a Sony laptop running an internal build of Windows 7.

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IE8 was launched earlier in the day amidst claims of superior security from Microsoft. The hacker, a 25-year-old German researcher going by the handle "Nils," won $5,000 and the Sony laptop on which he performed the hack in the annual contest PWN2OWN, that invites hackers to worm their way into popular browsers and operating systems for prize money. No piece of software is perfect--but slowness still dogs the new browser. Of the top five browsers, IE 8 came in dead last in a JavaScript speed test run by Computerworld.com, and by no small margin.  Big, fat, slow and dumb?  Remind you of anyone?

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/internet-explorer-8-microsofts-biggest-loser

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About this Blog

New New Media looks at how our mediascape is exploding to bits. How the latest technology and the internet are changing the way we live, work and play. How the latest media is shaping us all.

Stefano Boscutti is an executive creative director and strategist. He's like a better looking version of Todd Sampson. He also has an abiding faith that stories and wordplay (and not powerpoint presentations) will change the world.

 
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