Google has begun to phase out support for Internet Explorer 6, the browser¹ identified as the weak link in a cyber attack on the search engine.

谷歌已经开始逐渐停止对IE6的兼容支持，IE6被认为是互联网攻击中最薄弱的一环。

Microsoft has already released versions 7 and 8 of Internet Explorer

The firm said from 1 March some of its services, such as Google Docs, would not work "properly" with the browser.

It recommended individuals and firms upgrade "as soon as possible".

Google threatened to withdraw from the Chinese market following the "sophisticated and targeted" attacks, which it said originated in China.

Hackers² used a flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) browser to target the Gmail accounts of Chinese human rights activists³.

'Key functionality'

Following Google's revelations启示录, the French and German governments advised their citizens to switch to a different browser until the hole had been closed.

Microsoft reacted by quickly updating the browser, nearly three weeks ahead of its regular security update.

However, Google has now said it is going to phase out逐渐停止 support for the browser "starting with Google Docs and Google Sites".

It said that as a result, some "key functionality" of the applications would not work when used with IE6.

Google Docs is the firm's answer to products such as Microsoft Office, whilst Google Sites allows people to create web pages.

"The web has evolved in the last ten years, from simple text pages to rich, interactive⁴ applications including video and voice," wrote Google's Rajen Sheth in a blog post.

"Unfortunately, very old browsers⁵ cannot run many of these new features effectively."

Threat downplayed

Around 20% of web users still use the nine-year old browser, including many UK government departments.

But many developers want to see the browser phased out as soon as possible.

The online campaign ie6nomore, supported by more than 70 web firms, says that because the browser does not support modern web standards it restricts what developers can do and is "holding the web back".

Microsoft has said that it will support the browser until 2014.

Microsoft has released a fix for Internet Explorer and recommended that customers install the update as soon as possible or update to the latest version of the web browser for "improved security".

Microsoft normally issues patches monthly but the high-profile备受瞩目的，知名度高的 nature of the attacks led it to act more quickly.