South Korea Seems To Wrest IE And ActiveX

By a legal obligation from the end of the last century, most South Koreans still use Internet Explorer, but the country seems slowly to Microsoft's browser and ActiveX technology to emerge. This week launched the Korea Trade Network (KTN), part of the Korea International Trade Organization, new authentication services in addition to IE also work in other browsers.

The KTN late announcement specifically that the new services are free and ActiveX standard Microsoft Edge, Chrome and Firefox work. ActiveX is an extension dating from 1996 model, making it possible to add extensions to Internet Explorer.Decided because of all kinds of stability and security vulnerabilities in Microsoft ActiveX Edge no longer support.

In South Korea ActiveX still plays an important role. To encourage online shopping and Internet banking and fears about insecurity to take away the Internet, the South Korean government developed its own system to authenticate the identity of online buyers. To order online buyers had their name and Social Security number to apply for a digital certificate from the government. This certificate could show people as a kind of identity card to the retailer. The whole process was designed so that it occupied just a few clicks.

The technology for these online identity was based on Microsoft's ActiveX technology, which works only in Internet Explorer. When the system was introduced in 1999, the South Korean government stated that it was mandatory for online purchases above 210 euros. For smaller purchases by South Korean retailers, however, applies a similar certification system developed by webshops and credit card companies. However, the law does not apply to foreign retailers.

Many South Koreans also use IE. In recent years, received the browser, as ActiveX, having to make many security problems. Nevertheless, the browser according to StatCounter in South Korea still has a market share of 67.8%. The announcement of the KTN is also noteworthy. In August it was announced that the Korean financial authorities want the authentication certificates within two to three years phasing.