“Microsoft did not fault its security system, saying corporate
attacks are part of modern existence. The company contends its
security is among the world’s best, but security experts say
Microsoft’s reliance on Windows systems and personal computers
leaves it open to sabotage. As younger systems, Windows programs
are considered less secure than older systems based on the Unix
operating system, or those of Linux, modeled after Unix.”
“If the attacks were aimed at source code, their initiator could
use the information in developing competing programs or to sell to
a Microsoft competitor, experts said….”
“The dire characterization of the attack by Microsoft executives
was not shared by company insiders, some of whom joked about the
uselessness of complex source code. Employees interviewed said the
company had issued no internal advisory of the attack or
precautionary reminders, even after public reports emerged.”