Sign in Subscribe
Microsoft Corp.

Microsoft Source Code Possibly Compromised by Russian Hackers

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Microsoft's most popular software programs' valuable source codes may have been copied by Russian hackers, according to the company. The incident was revealed after Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer acknowledged that hackers had accessed the source code, although he assured that the integrity of the code was not compromised. The FBI has been called in to investigate the breach, which may have lasted up to three months. The hackers are believed to have entered Microsoft's system through its e-mail software and used a "backdoor" to access the computer. A computer worm called Qaz.Trojan is suspected to have been used in the attack, which is designed to steal passwords and files.

Key Takeaways:

  • Microsoft's source code for its popular software programs may have been copied by Russian hackers.
  • The hackers accessed the source code through Microsoft's e-mail software and used a "backdoor" to access the computer.
  • The FBI is investigating the breach, which may have lasted up to three months.
  • Microsoft employees discovered the breach when they noticed that passwords for transferring the code were being sent to an email account in St. Petersburg, Russia.
  • The identities of the hackers are unknown, but it is believed that they had access to the codes for up to three months.
  • The source code was not modified, but it is possible that it was copied.
  • The hackers may have used a computer worm called Qaz.Trojan to access the Microsoft network.
  • CA, a software company, issued an alert for the Qaz.Trojan worm, which is designed to give hackers control over a target computer.
  • The Microsoft attack highlights the importance of maintaining virus signatures to prevent critical data from being hijacked.

Statistics:

  • Up to three months: The length of time the hackers may have had access to Microsoft's source code.
  • 1 email account in St. Petersburg, Russia: The location where the passwords for transferring the code were being sent.
  • Qaz.Trojan worm: The computer worm suspected to have been used in the attack, which is designed to steal passwords and files.

Sources:

  • British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
  • Seattle Post-Intelligencer
  • Microsoft
  • Computer Associates International (CA)

Read more