Explorer 8 is set to be released by Microsoft

Internet Explorer 8 is being beta tested by Microsoft’s software testing community.

This is expected to be followed quite shortly by public beta testing, after the trials are completed, which should be by the beginning of summer.

The new Internet Explorer 8, will replace Explorer 7, which has been dogged with problems since its introduction in October 2006. Especially prevalent have been problems with hackers exploiting ‘holes’ in Explorer system to infiltrate PCs.

So far, there is no official date for the public release of Internet Explorer 8, the word on the ‘street’. Is that we can expect Microsoft to debut IE8 at the MIX show next month.

As a result of the problems and criticism of version 7 tThe new IE8 is predicted to be built more in line with World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) standards.

W3C, is attempting to ensure that cross-platform and cross-browser interoperability becomes the norm.

Other browsers currently available, including Firefox, are already in compliance with these W3C standards.