Microsoft publicity stunt asks hackers to attack Windows Vista

37 Comments

“After suffering embarrassing security exploits over the past several years, Microsoft Corp. is trying a new tactic: inviting some of the world’s best-known computer experts to try to poke holes in Vista, the next generation of its Windows operating system,” The Associated Press reports.

“Microsoft made a test version of Vista available to about 3,000 security professionals Thursday as it detailed the steps it has taken to fortify the product against attacks that can compromise bank account numbers and other sensitive information,” AP reports.

“Microsoft has faced blistering criticism for security holes that have led to network outages and business disruptions for its customers. After being accused for not putting enough resources into shoring up its products, the software maker is trying to convince outsiders that it has changed,” AP reports.

Full article here.

MacDailyNews Take: That’s a great idea! Give hackers a head start on Vista. As if they need it.

Related MacDailyNews articles:
Symantec details more security holes in Microsoft’s Windows Vista – July 26, 2006
Symantec: Microsoft’s ‘improvements’ to Vista could cause instability, new security flaws – July 18, 2006
New invisible rootkit hits Windows including Vista – July 17, 2006
Sophos: Apple Mac OS X’s security record unscathed; Windows Vista malware just a matter of time – July 07, 2006
Computerworld: Microsoft Windows Vista a distant second-best to Apple Mac OS X – June 02, 2006
Thurrott: Microsoft collapsing under its own weight, Gates has driven Windows Vista into the ground – April 20, 2006
What’s the difference between Mac OS X and Vista? Microsoft employees are excited about Mac OS X – March 22, 2006
Hackers already targeting viruses for Microsoft’s Windows Vista – August 04, 2005

37 Comments

  1. I don’t get it – first people rip MS for having a shoddy security record. Now that they are trying to do something about, people are still making fun of them? Ummm, isn’t the point of having security gurus go over this to make a better product? It’s okay to dislike MS for a lot of things they have done in the past but this is a smart thing they are doing and they should be lauded for it.

    Reply

  2. Ronin –

    I am not attacking MS for trying to fix their security. I am attacking them for thinking other people will gladly do their work for them.

    Here client, I have some dbugging to do on my system but go ahead and see what you can find for me and let me know. I’ll be rolling in my money if you need me.

    Reply

  5. The fox got into the hen house the other day and Farmer Brown had to reinforce the doors and the hen house security. Then he had a brilliant idea, he asked the fox to look it over and tell him if he saw any weakness in his new security fix.
    Farmer Brown gave the fox a Zune for his trouble.

    That’s the news down here on the farm.

    Reply

  11. I don’t mind the pop-ups of microsoft they usually contain the best pr0n, all you guys that are mad at microsoft should be ashamed. Have you raped and pillaged your way to the top no! My computer runs great (thanks to firefox) and it is just coincidental that mozilla has significantly less popsups than ie ,anyways think about it if your computer never fried how many of you would still be on the computers that fill up a room ad labtops that weigh 2k lbs. ,thats the best defense i could find for microsoft ,sad really ,but hey i think i’m the first go me!!! its hard to take criticism on the internet with so many negative nellys out there(emos,permanent dissenters and the like) ,but this is one blamming that is one of the more deserved i’ll admit that. El paso just got flooded wow a desert flood maybe after seeing the day a desert floods microsoft not sucking is a possibility especially since he handed the reigns over to far more bloodthirsty people.

    Reply

Reader Feedback

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.