“In response to a recent firestorm of criticism regarding the
security of its products, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) left a Web
server with a beta version of Windows 2000 and the embattled
Internet Information server (IIS) outside its firewall this
week.”
“This enticing announcement openly invited members of the
hacking community to crack the new program. Not only was there
little hacker interest, but the server crashed and was unavailable
for more than 24 hours.”
“Online security firms, including L0pht and eEye, have in recent
months discovered numerous server vulnerabilities that have left
the Redmond, Washington-based software titan scrambling to save
face by making patches available and having to launch a major
security initiative. With recent anti-trust lawsuits involving
Caldera, another hi-tech firm, and the U.S. Government, Microsoft
has learned to respond to potentially image-tainting
revelations.”