The second beta version of Internet Explorer 7 (IE 7) will automatically convert URLs written in different languages, aiming to make the Internet more accessible.
Vishu Gupta, an expert in the IE development team, stated that Domain Names Converted 7 will utilize an application programming interface (API) to convert domain names into punycode format – a Unicode domain name encoder accepted by DNS servers – before it is sent to the proxy.
Users can disable the International Domain Name (IDN) feature in the Control Panel using the new “International” key. When this feature is turned off, IE 7 will process domain names in the same way as IE 6 (which does not support punycode).
IDN compatibility expands Internet accessibility for non-English speakers, but it also increases opportunities for online scams. In a “punycode” attack, perpetrators can use similar-looking characters in a legitimate website’s address to redirect users to a completely different site. For example, the number “1” can be easily confused with the letter “l”, or the “a” character from the Kirin alphabet can be replaced with the Latin “a”.
The first beta version of IE 7 has been available since July of this year, and the new upgrade is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2006. The official browser release will occur before the Windows Vista operating system is launched at the end of next year.
