Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer for Windows v.6 with Google toolbar
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Internet Explorer for Mac OS X 5.2.3
Internet Explorer was cited as an example of questionable product bundling in Microsoft's anti-trust case with the United States Department of Justice. Microsoft required many OEM computer manufacturers to include Internet Explorer in the copies of Windows they installed on systems they shipped, and would not allow the manufacturer to put an icon for any other web browser on the default desktop in place of Internet Explorer.
Many security patches have been released for Internet Explorer. This has shown Internet Explorer to be the least secure of the major browsers (Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Opera, and Konqueror)
The rendering engine for the Windows version of MSIE is used in alternative interfaces, such as Crazy Browser, NetCaptor, NeoPlanet, and MyIE2.
Internet Explorer started out as the Spyglass browser before being bought by Microsoft. Spyglass in turn was based on the Mosaic web browser from NCSA, one of the first graphical web browsers.
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In June, 2003, Microsoft announced that it was ceasing further development of the Apple Macintosh version of MSIE (which uses Tasman as it's rendering engine, opposed to Windows MSIE), since Apple has developed its own browser, currently known as Safari.
Current news seems to suggest that Internet Explorer may cease to exist as an independent program soon, and will be considered a part of Windows.
Other popular web browsers include Netscape, Opera, and Mozilla.
See also: History of the InternetMS Windows version Release History
Future Developments
Alternatives