Microsoft released a "Platform Preview" version of the next version of Internet Explorer. You can download it from http://ie.microsoft.com/testdrive/Default.html. There are several security implications of this release:

1. Security professionals may be interested in exploring what security features and enhancements (if any) are built into Internet Explorer 9
2. Attackers may be interested in exploring what vulnerabilities (if any) exist in the code added to Internet Explorer 9
3. Attackers may start using the lure of installing Internet Explorer 9 as part of phishing and drive-by campaigns

Regarding point #3... At the moment, searching for "Internet Explorer 9" doesn't provide many links that look malicious. I suspect this will change as malicious sites using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) techniques will spring into action to take advantage of people's interest in the new browser.

Have you had a chance to look at Internet Explorer 9? Let us know your security-related observations.

-- Lenny

Lenny Zeltser - Security Consulting
Lenny teaches malware analysis at SANS Institute. You can find him on Twitter.