Microsoft's Internet Explorer 8 beta 2

Microsoft opened up testing of Internet Explorer 8 beta 2.The new beta includes a number of new security features, including protection against cross-site scripting attacks and a phishing and malware filter called the SmartScreen filter.

The browser itself is also undergoing some user-friendly changes. The search bar can now be programmed with a number of services like Wikipedia and Amazon in addition to favorites like Google and Yahoo. You can also change the size of the search bar.

In InPrivate Browsing, you basically begin a new private browsing session from the new tab button. In this mode, all of your visited sites, browsing history and cookies files aren’t stored on the computer and that third parties can't track online behavior.

If the browser crashes despite IE's new security features, Microsoft has included improved crash recovery in the new beta. If a crash is detected, the effected browser tab or tabs automatically reload, including any information that had been filled in on forms on the crashed pages. Users can even reload lost tabs or an entire browser session if accidentally closed, because IE keeps track of the most recently closed tabs.

You can download the latest trial version of the browser here.