Next generation browsers will have advanced features that will get tough with hackers, thanks to four rival firms getting together to work on combating security threats. Security developers from Microsoft, Mozilla/Firefox, Opera and Konqueror are discussing plans to help make the Internet a safer place for us all.

Linux-based K Desktop Environment (KDE) developer George Staikos, who hosted the meeting, said the availability of botnets and massively distributed computing meant current encryption standards "are showing their age".

"Prompted by Opera, we are moving towards the removal of SSLv2 from our [Konqueror] browsers," said Staikos. "IE will disable SSLv2 in version 7 and it has been completely removed in the KDE 4 source tree already.
Stronger cryptography will be the name of the game, along with rules help to protect users from malicious cracking attempts.