Internet Explorer 6 was released as an update for users who upgraded to Windows XP when it was released. If your business is still using IE6 and Windows XP, you need to stop. Right away.

What you don’t know could be killing your business, your website, and your options for development and web design services. IE6 has been replaced twice with updates, starting with Internet Explorer 7 in 2006 and then Internet Explorer 8 in early 2009. If you must have internet explorer, please update your browser! If you are capable of finding credible and reliable alternatives to the Microsoft browser, consider Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. As a business owner, you must know how important it is to stay up to date with your products, services, and the appearance of your business. Keeping your operations updated is just as critical, if not more so.

Why is IE6 so bad? Aside from the fact that the browser is hideously outdated, it has many flaws. One of the most critical reasons that your business or organization needs to rely on newer or different browsers is security. In the online world, that’s a top priority and when you’re not fully prepared your business will suffer. Intruders have gotten their hands on source code and confidential data quite easily, all by getting through the seriously limited security features on Internet Explorer 6. Do you really want your business to have to deal with this kind of a threat when the fix is such an easy one?
If your doctor was using outdated procedures to take care of your health, wouldn’t you be upset? Anyone who uses IE6 is setting themselves up for trouble. If there are any IT professionals out there who are letting this browser be used today in a corporate setting, they are just as guilty of malpractice as a doctor who is letting outdated procedures treat patients. It just doesn’t work. If you think this is a harsh way to spin the situation, think again. There are dozens of corporations that have suffered security breaches due to IE6 and they will be more than happy to tell you about the mess that they had to clean up in order to get their business back in order.

IE6 is bad for your health, your business, and your success. If you haven’t already upgraded to Internet Explorer 7 or 8, or chosen another browser like Firefox or Google Chrome, do it NOW. Your privacy and security is at stake.