Their past security woes with Internet Explorer have had many running, not walking to competitive products like Firefox, Chrome and Safari. Microsoft Edge browser aims to improve security and inspire confidence in Microsoft from users.

In a recent blog post, Crispin Cowan, Senior Program Manager, Microsoft Edge, talked about how his team is building a better browser. In summary, he asserts that security is most often compromised by two types of attacks; trickery and hacking.  He equates trickery with phishing schemes and spoofed sites that make it appear that you’re using a trusted vendor (like your bank) but are actually collecting the personal information that you enter to use maliciously.  While hacking is perhaps more aggressive and can result in the hacker taking over control of your computer.

The new Microsoft Edge browser seeks to neutralize these threats and create a safer online experience by:

• Offering stronger credentials
• “Defending against malicious web sites and downloads”
• Reporting and detecting fraudulent credentials
• Supporting modern web standards for developers
• Defaulting to 64-bit and strengthening Windows ASLR
• “Defending against memory corruption”
• Automating freeing memory, thereby neutralizing it as a potential threat with Memory garbage collector (MemGC)
• Adding Control Flow Guard (CFG),  limiting what would be hackers have access to.

Edge is not merely an update to Internet Explorer but a completely redesigned browser experience with new goals and requirements.  With these new security enhancements and features, they believe “Microsoft Edge will be the most secure web browser that Microsoft has ever shipped (and as they believe) security is a process, not a destination” they will continue to invest in browser security improvements.

What do you think?  Are you ready to give Microsoft another try with your browsing experience?

Teltek is a Certified Avaya Business Partner, NEC Dealer, Zultys, and Microsoft Partner with two locations in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. We specialize in providing one call technology support for small to mid-sized businesses and nonprofits in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Pennsylvania.