Internet Explorer 8; ING releases web offering

Microsoft introduces Internet Explorer 8 Microsoft Corp. fired the latest salvo in the browser wars yesterday with the introduction of Internet Explorer 8. While many devotees of competitor Firefox might not be swayed enough to abandon their beloved browser, the upgrade brings several innovations that should make your forays onto the Internet faster, more convenient and more secure, compared with past versions of the browser. New to the browser are small add-on programs called Accelerators that provide instant access to information such as maps, web searches, translations, e-mail and using a blog. You’ll also find a new feature called Web Slices that allow you to pursue more information about specific content within a web page, such as a stock or mutual fund, and other areas of interest to financial advisers. In addition, Explorer 8 will offer suggestions as you type words into the search box based on your usage history, web favorites and feeds. When it comes to security and privacy, Microsoft of Redmond, Wash., has created what it terms InPrivate Browsing that is found under the “Safety” menu. The feature was designed to protect your search history, temporary Internet files, cookies, usernames and passwords from being retained by the browser, leaving little in the way of evidence to indicate where you have traveled on the web. Based on all these new features, and my review of them, I recommend that you upgrade to the new browser. For more information and to download the application, visit microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer/default.aspx. ING launches web tool for retirement planning The Dutch financial services company ING has introduced a free web-based tool that educates investors about preparing for retirement, leveraging the power of “Peer Comparison.” The tool — INGCompareMe.com — makes it possible for clients to compare their progress relative to others on a wide range of saving, spending, investing, debt and personal-finance matters related to retirement. “At ING, we recognize that many Americans aren’t sure where to begin when it comes to retirement saving,” said Richard Mason, president of corporate markets for ING U.S. Retirement Services, Windsor, Conn. “The current financial markets may have gotten them even more confused or frustrated.” Users who log onto INGCompareMe.com create a profile by entering some simple background information, along with optional details such as their hobbies and interests. They can then access a number of different personal-finance categories, answer a variety of straightforward questions and quickly find out how they compare with others. No names, e-mail addresses or identification is requested, so the process remains anonymous. Those profiles are then compared with data from a survey conducted by the ING Institute for Retirement Research. The survey polled more than 5,000 adults who participated in workplace retirement savings plans. They were asked more than 150 questions on various financial matters. The goal was to identify characteristics that might affect personal-savings behavior and find patterns that reveal why some do a better of saving for retirement. The ING study “Insights into Defined Contribution Savings Behavior” was conducted in conjunction with Greenfield Online of North Andover, Mass. Respondents were required to be participants in a retirement savings plan and to be involved in household financial decisions. Answers were collected through two separate online survey panels, which yielded 5,165 valid respondents. The first survey was conducted in August; the second in September. ING Group is located in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.