Microsoft's Windows 2000 Source Code Leaks To The Net

[MacBytes]

Category: 3rd Party Software
Link: Microsoft's Windows 2000 Source Code Leaks To The Net (http://www.macbytes.com/link.php?sid=20040212203427)

Posted on MacBytes.com (http://www.macbytes.com)

Approved by Mudbug

[Nermal]

According to Neowin, NT4's been leaked too :)

[nagromme]

Get ready:

1. Windows source leaked.

2. More MS flaws found, and exploited with disastrous results long before patches appear.

3. MS will deceptively claim this as proof that Open Source software is less secure than closed.

4. Windows dominance will tighten even more.

You heard it here first :)

[dukemeiser]

Originally posted by nagromme
Get ready:
1. Windows source leaked.
2. More MS flaws found, and exploited with disastrous results long before patches appear.
3. MS will deceptively claim this as proof that Open Source software is less secure than closed.
4. Windows dominance will tighten even more.
You heard it here first :)

Is that why Linux gets viruses all the time? I could see M$ claiming that, but aren't they going to claim that irregardless?

I don't feel sorry for M$, but I think this could only be good for Apple and Linux. More M$ viruses, lead to more fed-up Windows users, which leads to more switchers. Too bad the entire Windows source code wasn't released...

[mkjellman]

i really think this is serious...with these tools a hacker could easily shut down half the world if they play their cards right...

[rogozhin]

To me, the funny thing about this story is that M$ is more concerned about their bottom line than the potential disastrous effects that may result from their flawed OS landing in the wrong hands. I'm convinced that Ballmer still thinks he's selling soap back in Cinncinnati, and stories like this one do little to change my opinion.

[billyboy]

Originally posted by dukemeiser
More M$ viruses, lead to more fed-up Windows users, which leads to more switchers. Too bad the entire Windows source code wasn't released...

It will take more than Apple just sitting there passively hoping to mop up dissatisfied Windows users. MS is part of the institution and when you here "experts" on the BBC today propogating the security by obscurity fud regarding alternatives that are secure and free of viruses, you have to fear that MS will actually benefit from working on solutions to their blatant past neglect.

[billyboy]

The fud machine rolls on. The latest BBC spin - one of the worst possible side effects of this theft is that someone could use the code to produce a similar programme.

Would it perhaps be more worrying that the thieves are going to publish the Swiss cheese code that is MS security so everyone can see what a con MS security is.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by billyboy
The fud machine rolls on. The latest BBC spin - one of the worst possible side effects of this theft is that someone could use the code to produce a similar programme.

Would it perhaps be more worrying that the thieves are going to publish the Swiss cheese code that is MS security so everyone can see what a con MS security is.

No, the worst possible thing that could happen is Windows security going from 10% full of holes to 100%. If the right hackers get this and I'm sure they will there is no way Microsoft can keep them drilling into any 2000/XP Windows client that is on the net without a hardware firewall.

[MorganX]

Early reports are it was take from Mainsoft's insecure Open Source FTP (http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=96614&cid=8266501).

Get ready for serious spin.

[idea_hamster]

originally posted by JFreak
old news. here's the windows(tm) code:

while (do nothing) {

activateSystemSlowdownProcess(___eat_memory);

if (___connected_to_internet) {
activateSpammingProcess();
updateLatestViruses();
}

if (___c___not_activated_by_big_brother) {
crash;
}

alert (___user_error);

}

this is the company's most valuable secret, very profitable by the way
HA! :D That's great!

I've often said (even on MR once) that releasing the Windows source code would do two things:

ensure your everlasting fame as the person who turned MicroSoft from world-dominating megalith into 3rd-rate OS maker (since the folks at the Wine project could make Windows programs run on Linux), and

ensure your everlasting bankruptcy, since you'll be sued by Bill Gates, a litigious guy who buys ink by the barrel.

[tYNS]

This is an absolute insult to the consumer market. How can microsoft insult our intelligence like this?

This was obviously a complete marketing ploy..
think about it..

Windows Security issues are abosuletly brutal. People are getting frustrated with patching and virus issues.

What better way to relieve the blame than release an APPARENT code leak to scape goat the security issues now! ...

funny how over the last 9 years .. no other OS source code nore Office code had been jeopardized...

It seems fishy that .. WOW .. now we have longhorn coming out in 2ish years.. how are we going to get people to switch over...

Face it.. Windows is a security nightmare.. Microsoft is spending a ton of money developing longhorn.. they want people to use longhorn.. they want to abandon all older OS support.. this is the perfect way of doing it! .. Blame the "HACKER" community for them having to abandon XP and NT...

People like to have a bad guy to Blame, and a Hero to save them...

This will also open up them selling millions of copies of longhorn and FORCING an upgrade for consumers.

I can't believe people are buying into the story.. hook, line and sinker.

What kind of company lies and cheats people like this and gets away with it??
How much do they actually care about the consumer to do something like this!

Apple at least was honest about OS X transition upgrading.. They told people we are abandoning 9.. so upgrade now.. it is the future.. no smoke and mirror publicity stunts like this..

Absolutely insulting what Microsoft is doing.

And it just shows how much they care about your security and data to release code like this! .. Face it.. they want your money, that is all.. they will do anything to get it...

[MorganX]

Originally posted by tYNS

This was obviously a complete marketing ploy..
think about it..


I doubt it. Too much at stake. I'm sure they would have chosen a section of source without profanity.

This could easily add fuel to the debate that says it's too dangerous to rely so much on one company. What if the full source got into hands of those who wanted to do more than throw a pie in Microsoft's face?

No, I don't think this is a Microsoft conspiracy/marketing ploy.

[carbonmotion]

Originally posted by MorganX
I doubt it. Too much at stake. I'm sure they would have chosen a section of source without profanity.

This could easily add fuel to the debate that says it's too dangerous to rely so much on one company. What if the full source got into hands of those who wanted to do more than throw a pie in Microsoft's face?

No, I don't think this is a Microsoft conspiracy/marketing ploy.

This wont end microsoft either, people will go on buying windows and igoring the other os...

[MrMacMan]

How many threads do we need on this subject?

There is also a thread in the MacBytes section...



Sad story microsoft... sad story.