Entered CNET Catalog: 11/10/2004
SKU: CNET.IEWXPSP
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
Manufacturer description
Microsoft Internet Explorer makes using the Web simpler than ever, more automated, and more flexible to let you use the Web the way you want. In short, Internet Explorer brings IntelliSense to the Web to save you time on the things you do most often. Features like Web Accessories let you customize your browser to suit your needs.User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64
User Rating: 
2/10
Bad, not nearly as good as Firefox, Safari, or Opera
Pros: Support for ActiveX controls and most toolbars
Cons: Poor support for some websites
Slow to load pages
Major security issues
Uses large amounts of RAM
User Rating: 
1/10
Slow, buggy, ugly and not at all user-friendly
Pros: Absolutely none. I hate IE6 and cannot understand why it is still the most used browser in the world! Have these people never tried Firefox?!
Cons: Slow.
Buggy.
No tabbed browsing.
Ugly UI.
Non-customisable.
No tabbed browsing - Firefox introduced this in their first browser, why the hell didn't Microsoft jump on the tab bandwagon way before IE7?
Ugly user-interface - yes, the icons are attractive but a little outdated now. They take up too much space, even on the small setting, in my opinion.
Totally non-customisable - this applies to all of Microsoft's browsers...which is why I'll never use any of them. Unfortunately, I have to put up with the horrendous IE6 at work.
User Rating: 
6/10
Way better than IE 7 but not as good as Safari and Firefox
Pros: Easy bookmarks,websites all support it,add ons
Cons: ActiveX, no tabs, hard to run when short of memory,no RSS feeds
WORD OF NOTE: DON"T DOWNLOAD IE 8 EVER!!!! It's even worse than this and its features are harder to use in almost everyway.
User Rating: 1/10
Worst browser ever
Pros: None. After all microsoft has a history of making crap products.
Cons: Everything.
User Rating: 1/10
Programmer should be homeless
Pros: Its free adn works sometime
Cons: buggy and crashes your computer
User Rating: 1/10
Absolutely Trash
Pros: Easy to update
Cons: Everything Else
User Rating: 
10/10
the best of all
Pros: it always worked, no problems.
Cons: none found........................ .............................. .............................. .............................. ..
I encountered no problems with IE6...ever!! Why change something that isn't broke? If you don't like the way it looks or works, let others change it to their liking but don't build another like IE7 and then forget how to make it user friendly. RSS Feeds are a joke!
User Rating: 6/10
Typical Browser
Pros: Integrates well with Windows, Compatiable, Fast, Ergonomically Good
Cons: Insecure to a point, Proprietary
User Rating: 1/10
IE6 sucks so badly it well... Sucks!!!
Pros: It at least gets 1 out of ten...
Cons: Slow, poor security, pop-up blocker fails to work, not customizable
Internet Explorer: Bad | Firefox: Amazing
User Rating: 6/10
Could be better, but could be worse.
Pros: It works because the web has worked it
Cons: PNG Images don't work right, it crashes, and has gaping security holes
Yeah, its basic, and yeah, it is plagued by security holes but as long as you sit behind a good firewall/port blocking utility you should be alright. Another thing is, people who visit porn sites are bound to be affected, so a lot of the whining is people's own fault. Also, Viruses don't just automatically find their way into your computer, activate, and ruin everything. You, as a user, actually have to do all of that, and that can be done through any browser.
That said, I don't use IE on a regular basis, but, as I've said in my website I'm building, it sure is good to have around. You can have toolbar enhancements, and an improved HTML engine - even if you don't use IE at all - just by installing IE6. Sure, it slows your computer down, and yeah, when I ran my computer IE-free I noticed a difference, but if you have a fast enough box you'll be good. Windows 98 and above, get IE6 and be HAPPY.
If you are a web designer but don't like IE, please at least test your sites in IE because however hard you MS-bashers try, IE will always be the browser most used, and when a website won't work - what do you do? Hit Back.
Anyway, back to the point of IE itself. For WIndows 98, ME, 2000, you'll still need a third party toolbar like the Google Toolbar, because MS hadn't quite introduced the pop-up blocker then. Besides, GoogleToolbar's pop-up blocker is miles better than the MS one.
If you're a regular IE-user, and using Windows 98, ME or 2000, I highly recommend that you get IE6 before Microsoft begin to bury it. For Windows 95, you can find IE5.5 or 5 from www.oldversion.com
User Rating: 1/10
Worst Browser of All Time
Pros: Better than IE 5.0
Cons: Spyware, Viruses, Security
User Rating: 1/10
Why would any one use ie any more outside of updateing windows?
Pros: You Have To Update XP In It (if u want the autoupdate that is)
Cons: Firefox Is 100% Better www.getfirefox.com
User Rating: 1/10
Umm, I'd rather stick some rocks in my harddrive and use this...
Pros: Anti-popups, active X, fast boot
Cons: VERY VULNERABLE, no tabs, way behind in the whole browser thing
The good: Includes a pop-up blocker;(firefox dose too) takes advantage of built-in security within Windows XP SP2; selectively blocks ActiveX support.
The bad: Suffers from chronic security holes; no RSS reader; available only within Windows XP SP2; expensive technical support.
The bottom line: Unless your business has specific ActiveX technology needs, you are much more secure running FIREFOX than Internet Explorer.
"
Dare I really comment on all the security holes here, I mean, I am amazed a editor rated this a 7.0, he has low standereds, I wonder what firefox has, a 17.0? Why run a browser you KNOW has security holes, when a safer alternitive is around the corner.
Ok, let me put this in a easier way for non-computer people. " Using IE is like having a hole in your wall while your AC is cranked up to the max, when your sealent is laying right next to you!". In otherwords, if something is so unsafe, and so hated, why use it?
User Rating: 1/10
Typical of Microsoft...
Pros: Improvement from SP1
Cons: Crashes ALL the time, requires countless security updates, slow, and unresponsive.
User Rating: 10/10
Average user is stupid
Pros: Functionality
Cons: popular target among script kiddies
User Rating: 1/10
Microsoft Poison
Pros: Only good for idiots like msie fans, win update/office update, and microsoft update
Cons: Everything else!!!!!
User Rating: 
3/10
The web users got it right this time. Bad product in terms of security and features.
Pros: Only one Pro I can think of is opening of online PDF files
Cons: Vulnerable to spyware and hacking, Extremely slow downloading and diplaying pages, Too many pop-ups (though they have remedied it, to somee extent)
Despite having so muhc of money, expertise and resources, I am flabbergasted as to how Microsoft could not come up with a better product.
User Rating: 
8/10
does the job well!
Pros: everything
Cons: no good plugins, not skinable
User Rating: 1/10
Abysmal is a good word for it...
Pros: ActiveX...oh wait, that's why the security sucks so hard.
Cons: Slow, outdated, doesn't follow standards.
User Rating: 1/10
Less said the better
Pros: Less said the better
Cons: Less said the better
User Rating: 1/10
Total crap!
Pros: Supports ActiveX (but that is also a con)
Cons: Spyware, viruses and all sorts of nasty because of this bad product
Go look elsewhere: Firefox, Opera, K-Meleon, even Netscape... but stay away from IE!!
I hope Microsoft is smart enough to make the final release of IE7 more secure, but in the mean time i will be using Firefox.
User Rating: 2/10
I LOVE MY MOZILLA FIREFOX!!!
Pros: Works and that is about it
Cons: Very insecurue and is over 4 years old
User Rating: 1/10
Why use it when there is firefox?
Pros: The user interface copied firefox.
Cons: Still needs mor security.
User Rating: 8/10
FIrefox is new and different, but you still need Explorer...
Pros: The Firefox interface is new and interesting...
Cons: Firefox does a poor job of background cleanup.
The community buzz centers on Tabbed Browsing. It is a a nice feature for a couple of often used applications, but its only value is saving a single point and click action. Still, a nice feature.
If you attempt to view multiple, consecutive video streams, Firefox chokes and must be shut down. I learned this running through CNET's home page video selections - among other similar situations.
The Firefox ad blocker is no big deal, all browsers have had that capability in one form or another for some time - toolbars usually.
The process of making Firefox useful through downloading and installing plug-ins and extensions is a pain. And they don't always work.
Firefox doesn't like Windows Media Player very much. It is a crap shoot whether or not it will load, or, if it does, if it will work.
Explorers disadvantages are it's dated interface and the world community of hacker bums - a group of social misfits in search of peer glory by inflicting major misery on the multitudes.
I have been using the internet since a couple of years before the Worldwide Web was implemented. My browser has been, naturally enough, Explorer in it's many versions. Earlier on I tried Netscape but didn't care for it and stuck with Explorer.
Not once in all that time have I had a problem with Explorer. It is rock solid, and plug-in and extension requirements a almost non-existant. They are are mostly built in.
Yes, there are a large number of 'security alerts' publicized for Explorer vs Firefox, but that is just a numbers game. As Firefoxes user base grows, so will the number of lifetime losers attempting to bring it down.
So, the whole thing boils down to interface and operability. Explorer loses on the former and wins on the latter.
Choose.
User Rating: 3/10
Poor as usual
Pros: Functions fine for me for Windows Updates
Cons: Have to have SP2 to even use this version?!?
User Rating: 
4/10
Decent But Replacable By Firefox :)
Pros: Standard Of The Internet, To Be Noted NOW Blocks Pop-Ups, Interface Decent
Cons: Security problem galore, slow preformance, prone to infection, annoyance to deal with
User Rating: 6/10
It's not that that bad
Pros: It has a popup blocker!
Cons: It's not the safest browser:-(
User Rating: 8/10
Shut your Mouth!
Pros: EVERYBODY USES IE!!!!
Cons: It crashed on me...
FIREFOX has problems - most BUSINESS websites do not display properly in it (Ameritrade for example) & TEXTBOXES display like S*** - take a look at yahoo email TO: field when text is larger than original width of Textbox.
I'm a full-time webdeveloper and I use both IE & firefox together - Firefox for personal web browsing & IE for business.
User Rating: 3/10
Use Firefox instead, you won't be dissapointed.
Pros: Site who use MS Active X software work well
Cons: Security, no tabs, no extensions
User Rating: 1/10
The Biggest Piece Of Trash The World Of Browsrers Has Ever Seen
Pros: Uh, It looks Umm, You get it with your PC
Cons: Slow, Unsecure, Takes Forever To Load Up. You name it their is something wrong with it
This is a useless piece of Programming. The slowest browser on the market and it can't stop frustating every user that uses it.
No wonder that browsers like Firefox appeared 'cause someone needed to improve the quality of their browsers. Why i'm on Firefox now!!
Shame on you Microsoft, ths is a complete failure, Yet Again
User Rating: 1/10
Piece of *******!!!!
Pros: Don't use this!
Cons: Never use this!
User Rating: 1/10
dont use IE!
Pros: windows comes with IE so you dont have to install it yourself
Cons: its very annoying - lots of pop ups and pop unders, security vulnerabilities galore
User Rating: 2/10
only use download firefox or mozilla
Pros: its better than nothing
Cons: no tabs, no rss, no serchbar , i could go on and on
User Rating: 1/10
It's a load of crap
Pros: compatibility, starts up fast
Cons: bad security
User Rating: 1/10
Doesn't even support standards that are over 6 years old
Pros: I kind of does what it's supposed to
Cons: Insecure, no standards compliance, slow, no real development for years
User Rating: 1/10
Internet Explorer is a really abysmal browser, I never use it!
Pros: Some website do work only with it, that is the only pro!
Cons: Security, no teb browsing, no support of standards, no RSS
User Rating: 1/10
The rating says it all: ABYSMAL!
Pros: I'm not sure there are any
Cons: Security holes, slow, no good features, etc.
User Rating: 1/10
Internet Explorer was supposed to be some of Microsoft's best work...Its their worst work.
Pros: Ummm...just a second while I get ten characters in.
Cons: This has to be the worst browser that I have seen in my life - and I have even seen Deepnet Explorer!
User Rating: 1/10
what a rubbish browser !
Pros: what a rubbish browser !
Cons: what a rubbish browser !
User Rating: 1/10
The worst browser there is
Pros: compatibility
Cons: not secure and slow
It's a wonder it can survive like that
User Rating: 2/10
Standards?
Pros: Okay speed, built into Windows, integrated into Windows Explorer
Cons: Doesn't follow W3C standards, insecure
User Rating: 1/10
Proof that a Monopoly is a bad thing
Pros: I can use it to use windowsupdate.com
Cons: Everything else
User Rating: 1/10
Yet again, one of the poor products developed my micro$oft
Pros: takes relatively small amount of memory if opened for a long time
Cons: VERY slow, EASILY exploited, default settings are the worst imaginable, comes preinstalled, hard to get rid of, VERY annoying in applications
User Rating: 1/10
The worst browser
Pros: Can't think of any
Cons: Insecure, slow, bad standards support, lack of features, runs only on Windows
User Rating: 1/10
Avoid IE at all costs
Pros: Being a part of the OS, it starts quickly
Cons: No major update in 4 years. Missing countless features. Lacks security
IE lacks to many features to list here, but here are a few popular ones; Tabs, RSS, and Password Manager.
IE is also about 4 years old and with little change since being released. During that time, besides the missing features, it has become behind on technology. It does not load web pages as quickly as many other browsers. It also does not support web pages standards.
IE has become old, slow, and a has been. You are much better off switching to another web browser. Avoid IE at all costs.
User Rating: 1/10
Its really bad
Pros: Nothing I can think of
Cons: Closed Source, Not available on Linux, No tabbed browsing
User Rating: 
9/10
It is fast and easy to use
Pros: fast and easy
Cons: sercurity and virus
User Rating: 8/10
Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 w/SP2 is a sSuper Appl.
Pros: extreme ease of use. The most compatible browser.
Cons: None, if your computer is up-to-date and you have a reputable Virus/ Firewall in place.
I've Never had a security problem or any other problem with this Application.
All of the Naysayers are either computer inept or Microsoft haters.
There has yet to be a browser. Go! microsoft...
User Rating: 4/10
Just switch
Pros: no need to install it in windows
Cons: not standard compliant, only available for xpsp2, no tabs, no rss
User Rating: 1/10
You'd expect better, much better
Pros: You can browse the internet
Cons: bad popup blocker, a lot of security problems, some programs can install themselves
User Rating: 8/10
It's a Workhorse
Pros: Can open every web-site I try, steady. Integrates well with other software, especially PDF files.
Cons: Keep up on patches/updates for security. No tabs.
The secret is making sure you have a good firewall/anti-virus/anti-syware set-up, which is necessary no matter what browser you have running.
Can't wait to see IE7 with tabs though.
User Rating: 1/10
Does not Render Correctly
Pros: Supported by many sites
Cons: Security, Redndering, Spyware, Viruses, and the list goes on!!!!
User Rating: 2/10
Too many flaws, too little support from Microsoft to merit using it.
Pros: Many sites are designed to be compatible with IE, namely Windows Update, which works with no other browser on a PC.
Cons: ActiveX has security vulnerabilities in it, plus Microsoft has not fixed security flaws that have been known for over two years.
User Rating: 2/10
IE sucks fat donkeys
Pros: no pros to speak of
Cons: comes standard, impossible to remove
User Rating: 
7/10
Well, it works (as I use Firefox to fill this out)
Pros: Industry Standard, Full Active-X support, free
Cons: Security problems galore - not built to be secure from design
User Rating: 2/10
Security threat and poor html rendering.
Pros: Quickly turn your computer into a zombee.
Cons: Slow, incorrectly renders html, not standards compliant.
User Rating: 2/10
A pile of crap
Pros: none I can think of
Cons: poor CSS support, poor standards support, supports activeX
Now, M$ has (finally) improved IE, but only for WinXP users, not Win2000, which is basically WinXP under the hood but without the extra features (and bloat). If they want to convince users of a perfectly good OS to switch, then turning their backs on them is not the way to do it.
IE is an extremely old browser with no significant code rewrites, which also make it more vulnerable, and since it's integrated tightly into Windows, if it gets compromised, then the repurcussions can be more serious. If it crashes, it takes Windows down with it.
If you think that the upcoming IE7 will swoop in and make everything right, no, it's merely SP3, with a handful of security patches, some small CSS improvements, tabbed browsing, and a nice version number increase to make it look that much more enticing instead of just IE6.1 or IE6 SP3. After all, who can resist a whole new version (which IE7 will NOT be)?
User Rating: 2/10
You need to be a guru to customize it.
Pros: Every Win System has it.
Cons: Very hard or impossible to really customize
User Rating: 1/10
the BEST way to gradually DESTROY your own computer
Pros: the only way to get into webites built with the various non standtard MS tools
Cons: It causes a LOT of damage to yor system in time
Even if it were secure, it's still the slowest browser I had the displeasure of working with.
It was bad 5 years ago, and it's much much worse today.
User Rating: 4/10
Compatible but slow and insecure
Pros: Highly compatible with nearly all web sites
Cons: Slow, vulternable to security flaws
User Rating: 2/10
Bill Sucks more, and thats guarunteed.
Pros: Gets on more sites than firefox and works with PDF.
Cons: I cannot list all of them.
He just didn't done good, again!!!
User Rating: 4/10
IE is the worst thing ever
Pros: most peolpe know it
Cons: it is defenceless against troyans
now im using firefox, avast antivirus, and outpost firewall. now my PC is running normally and fast
User Rating: 1/10
Sucks! Never seen worse!
Pros: It can sometimes open the internet?
Cons: It is SO unsafe, that if you have over a monthly bandwith use of 20 MB, YOU shouldent have it!
User Rating: 
5/10
Nice for house hold computers.
Pros: Its simple to use for anyone.
Cons: It lacks security which is big these days.
%20-%20Browsers%20-%20CNET%20Archive&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/browsers/internet-explorer-6-with/1707-3514_7-31214886.html){kind=small}