Web standards folk say 'dump IE'

Web standards champions have launched a campaign urging Web surfers to abandon Internet Explorer.

The Web Standards Project's 'Browse Happy' campaign has a look-&-feel reminiscent of Apple's 'Switch' campaigns.

The Web site's front page proclaims: "Internet Explorer can make your computer unsafe. Why not switch to a browser that's more secure?"

The campaign reflects advice from Internet security experts, who last month advised users to seek alternatives to Microsoft's market-dominant browser.

Topple the empire, time for change

Computer Weekly wrote: "Security issues in Internet Explorer have highlighted the need for companies to think about supporting other Web browsers on their customer-facing sites to control the security threat."

Major players such as the US Government CERT and non-profit Sans Institute recently urged companies to consider supporting other Web browsers, such as Netscape, Opera, Mozilla and Safari.

The campaign Web site offers stories from people who have switched to alternative browsers and brief descriptions of some of those available.

Recent data from WebSideStory showed Internet Explorer's share of the browser market dropped by 1 per cent in June – the first noticeable decline since WebSideStory began tracking the browser market in late 1999.