Microsoft's Internet Explorer losing browser share

Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) web browser, now accounts for less than 60% of the market, down from 95% at its peak in 2003, according to new figures.

Latest statistics, from measurement firm NetApplications, show that IE has 59.9% of the market, with Firefox gaining on it, with 24.5%.

While third-place Google Chrome's 6.7% share of the market looks tiny by comparison it is rising sharply, up from just 1.7% this time last year.

A new version of IE is imminent.

Microsoft has gradually been losing market share, largely due to concerns over security, experts said.

Measurement firms tend to agree that IE is losing market share although the percentage share of rival browsers is more hotly contested.

This could be due to more awareness of rivals.

"There are more viable alternatives now. Google has been advertising and there are more people using Macs and Apple's Safari. There is just a great awareness that there are alternatives," he said.

Recently people using version 6 of the browser were advised to find an alternative due to large security holes.

Source: BBC News