Internet Explorer 8.0 is already available for download on peer-to-peer networks worldwide. In this aspect, Internet Explorer 7 has set the tone for what it is to come with IE 8. Version 7.0 of the Microsoft browser has been posted on P2P networks since the early beta releases.

A superindex website that lists over 5,000 regular trackers has an impressive offer of Internet Explorer 7 editions. Form as early as Internet Explorer Beta 1, through Beta 2 and 3 to the release candidate, the browser's versions are ripe for the taking. Moreover, the pirated copies of IE 7 have been hacked in order to bypass the mandatory activation validation mechanism of the WGA.

And although Firefox 2.0 is a free release, and Firefox 3.0 Gran Paradiso is also a free download available from Mozilla, both browsers have ended up on Peer-to-Peer networks.

In this context, the upcoming version of Internet Explorer could not have been overlooked. Internet Explorer 8.0 by Microsoft.exe, Internet Explorer 8.0 Multilanguage.exe, Internet Explorer 8.0 BETA Installer MULTILENGUAJE and Internet Explorer 8.0 NeW Full are the IE 8 versions available for download.

The only problem is that Internet Explorer 8 is currently in pre-alpha version, and is only tested inhouse at Microsoft. Therefore, the examples of IE posted on P2P sites are not what they claim to be, and chances are they are crawling with malware.

Currently, Microsoft is gathering input from Tech Beta participants via an IE 8 features survey and will unveil the browser at MIX 07 between April 30 and May 2.