“In an embarrassing turn of events for Microsoft in its ongoing
battle against America Online over instant messaging, the
software giant admitted that a glitch in its chat software allows
nonauthorized users to see a person’s email password…”
“The flaw in its MSN Messenger software allows anyone with
access to another person’s computer to read and send email from
that person’s Hotmail account without his or her knowledge. Hotmail
is Microsoft’s free, Web-based email service.”
“The problem is most easily exploited in an office setting where
coworkers share or access each other’s computers. The bug’s effects
are blunted for home computer users since actual physical access is
necessary to take advantage of the flaw.”