Tomorrow marks the day long-awaited by web developers around the world, when Microsoft will finish providing support for its older Internet Explorer browsers and mark the end of their useful life.
From Tuesday, 12th January onwards Microsoft will no longer support Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 and a new patch will now prompt users to upgrade to a modern browser. The nag patch will be rolled out to users still running the older Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2 operating systems and IE browsers.
The Impact on Web Development
Now that Internet Explorer 8, 9 and 10 have reached their end, web developers will now be free to design sites without worrying about support for the older browsers, if their customers allow. This is a significant milestone for the web development community. Older versions of Internet Explorer have long been notorious for their lack of support for modern web standards, which has often forced developers to write additional code to ensure compatibility. This extra work has been a source of frustration and has slowed down the adoption of new technologies.
With the end of support for these older browsers, developers can now take full advantage of HTML5, CSS3, and other modern web technologies without having to worry about backward compatibility. This will likely lead to faster, more secure, and more feature-rich websites. For example, developers can now use Flexbox and Grid layouts more freely, which offer more powerful and flexible ways to design responsive web pages.
Security Implications
If you are still using older versions of Internet Explorer before 11, now might be the time to update to something a little newer such as Google Chrome, the latest Firefox, or even Microsoft’s Edge browser. As now support has finished for the range of Internet Explorer browsers, they will no longer receive security updates or any patches, leaving them wide open to new vulnerabilities as they are created with no way to patch them.
The security implications of continuing to use an unsupported browser are significant. Cybercriminals often target outdated software because it is more likely to have unpatched vulnerabilities. By continuing to use Internet Explorer 8, 9, or 10, users are putting their personal information, as well as their organization’s data, at risk. Modern browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge are not only faster and more feature-rich but also receive regular security updates to protect against the latest threats.
Moreover, many modern web applications and services are optimized for the latest browsers. By upgrading, users can ensure that they have the best possible experience when using these services. For instance, many online banking platforms and e-commerce sites recommend using the latest browsers to ensure secure transactions.
In addition to security, performance is another critical factor. Modern browsers are designed to handle the latest web technologies efficiently, providing a smoother and faster browsing experience. Features like hardware acceleration, improved JavaScript engines, and better memory management contribute to this enhanced performance.
The end of support for Internet Explorer 8, 9, and 10 marks a significant step forward for the web development community and users alike. It allows developers to focus on creating better, more secure, and more innovative web experiences. For users, upgrading to a modern browser is essential for maintaining security, performance, and compatibility with the latest web technologies.
Source: TNW : Microsoft
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