Microsoft has released the finished edition of its IE 9 web browser.The firm said Internet Explorer 9's graphics handling, privacy and security features put it on an even footing with Chrome, Firefox, Safari and others.

The IE9 comes as Microsoft's browser marketplace share is being cut down by a growing roster of competitors. Rivalry is also coming from non-browser traffic created by tablets and mobile phones.

Share statistics

Microsoft asserted one important feature in Internet Explorer 9 was tools to stop folks being tracked as they shift from site to site. This info is often collected by commercial companies to tailor ads to the precise habits of web users.

In addition, Microsoft said, separate tools in Internet Explorer 9 will keep an eye on downloads so they can spot when trojans and viruses try to creep onto a computer. The release comes at a decisive time for Microsoft as, one study suggests, its IE browser is going through a long-lasting decline.

Whilst unswerving data on browser shares are difficult to compile, guesstimates from web investigation company Net Applications recommends that Internet Explorer has about a 56 percent share of the worldwide market. The same study recommends Chrome has 11 percent, Firefox about 22 percent, and Safari 6 percent.