Google came earlier this week with a plug in for Internet Explorer that integrates the company's own web browser in Microsoft's browser. This will make it possible for users especially in older IE versions to use web applications that are both dependent on browser support to the current web standards and good JavaScript performance. But Chrome Frame,as the plug in is called, also supports the newer IE versions.
Many viewed this as a point to Microsoft, which in many ways has painted them self into a corner of the browsers world because the many users of IE6 today can not upgrade to a more modern version, because users are using web solutions that do not work with other Web browsers than IE6. Google gives users an opportunity to use IE6 also in the future, but with the option to switch over to the display with Chrome Frame as needed. For example, in order to use Google Wave, as it is being made available.
It is especially in corporate environments that many people still use Internet Explorer 6.Many websites see that many of the readers still use IE6
Not surprisingly, Microsoft has somewhat come with a response.
- With Internet Explorer 8, we have made significant progress and updates to make the browser more secure for our customers. Given the security issues with plug ins in general, and Google Chrome in particular, running Google Chrome Frame as a plug in has doubled the attack surface for malware and malicious scripts. This is not a risk we would recommend that our friends and family will take, writes a representative of Microsoft in an e-mail to Mary-Jo Foley at News.com.
This get Mozilla's Dion Alma to come with the following message in Twitter:
- Microsoft is scared of security of plug ins. Uninstall Silverlight now! :)
To News.com explains Amy Barzdukas, general manager for IE at Microsoft,
- If you are an IE6 users, you should get away from IE6, do not install an add-on. It just magnifies your problem, "she says.
Google stresses in a statement to several U.S. websites that Google Chrome Frame is an open source plug in which is currently developing in an early release, and that it should be designed with security in mind from the beginning.
- We encourage users to use a more modern standard and customized web browser such as Firefox, Safari, Opera or Google Chrome front of a plug. For those who do not do this, is Google Chrome Frame designed to provide better performance, strong security features and more options for both developers and users, across all versions of Internet Explorer.
Google admits that the attack surface is increased, but stresses that Chrome also bring their own security capabilities, particularly to those who are using IE6.
- By visiting websites whit Google Chrome Frame, we transfer Google Chrome's security features to Internet Explorer users, including strong protection against phishing and malware, which is missing in IE6, robust sandbox technology and a strong defense against the growing Web Threats is available in days more than months, says Google.
