Exploring Internet Explorer 8 RC1 Security Features

Now that Internet Explorer 8 RC1 is available for download from Microsoft's servers, it is time to have a closer look at the security improvements that the company's programmers have integrated.

One of the main differences between IE7 and IE8 is the fact that the latter adopts a Chrome-like structure, also known as Loosely-Coupled IE or LCIE, which gives each tabs and its surrounding environment its own processes which in turn means more stability and less exposure to vulnerabilities. As in Google's Chrome, in theory, tabs that freeze or go berserk for some reasons won't bring down the whole browser.

IE8 also introduces Data Execution Prevention, a snazzy expression to describe a technique used to decrease the risk of hackers exploiting the all too famous buffer overflows which are often used for injecting malicious code. A more widespread adoption of DEP will help significantly reduce some forms of vulnerabilities.