Netscape Soups Up Security, Adds RSS Support

America Online Wednesday unveiled the newest version of its struggling Netscape browser with features that include a new anti-spyware tool and support for RSS.

Netscape 8.1, a free-of-charge download from AOL, sports anti-spyware/anti-adware protection that automatically scans all downloads conducted via the browser and blocks suspicious files. A new security center also debuted, with status indicators that show the browser's current settings for defensive measures against phishing and popup ads, as well as whether automatic update is enabled.

The updated browser now also handles RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds, includes performance improvements and bug fixes, and unlike Firefox (sans an extension), lets users undo tab closings.

Once the most-preferred browser, Netscape now accounts for just 1.2 percent of all browsers used, according to recent data from NetApplications.

Netscape 8.1 is available only for Windows.