Microsoft drawn into new browser war
C|Net | at | by Mike
As Microsoft takes the wrapper off its new desktop operating system and plunges into its .Net initiative, the software giant faces renewed battles deep within conquered territory: Web browsers. Signs of the challenge came just days before the launch of Windows XP, when Yahoo released an upgrade to its service that effectively hijacks Microsoft's Internet Explorer browser. Called "Yahoo Essentials," the add-on exploits little-known customization features in IE and the Windows operating system. It takes over searches in the browser address bar, switches the default e-mail client to Yahoo Mail, embeds its instant messenger within the IE window, adds a Yahoo toolbar below the standard IE menu, places a shortcut to Yahoo Mail on the PC desktop and offers to set the home page to Yahoo.com.