Internet Explorer 6 is a web browser which first appeared in 2001. Since then, we’ve seen browsers like Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari and Google Chrome establish themselves as serious choices alongside older alternatives like Opera. We’ve even seen IE7 and IE8 arrive on the scene.

All of these browsers leave IE6 in the dust in terms of security, reliability, compatibility and new features. Web developers have been tearing their hair out for years over the problems that IE6 and IE7 present when designing websites, while security firms have warned against using the outdated technology. Recent events have seen Google blame a vulnerability in IE6 for the China e-mail hacking fiasco and both the German and French governments recommend that citizens do not use Internet Explorer until the issues are fixed.

I firmly believe IE6 should be discontinued by Microsoft, along with IE7, leaving IE8 as their only supported browser on the market. What this would do would be to focus all their energies on their latest and greatest, enable developers the world over to cater to more modern browsers and help safeguard users’ private data.

I wouldn’t hold out much hope though. After all, Microsoft say IE6 will be supported until 2014, when it will be 13 years old. Brilliant.