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FBI on the Windows Source Code Theft

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the don't-they-use-macs dept.

Chris Gondek writes "There are various articles about the Stolen Windows Source Code, but today it is confirmed that an FBI task force hunted for a cyber-criminal who posted on the internet source code for Windows which says 'I can confirm that the Northwest Cybercrime Task Force was investigating, FBI spokeswoman Robbie Burroughs said. The posted program is part of the source codes, or blueprints, for Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0, according to the company.' "

11 of 504 comments (clear)

  1. Simple question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Can they track torrents? Not that I'm afraid of the Fumbling Bumbling Idiots or anything...

    1. Re:Simple question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

      They're more interested in finding the people who originally copied/published/distributed it. They're not stupid - they probably realize that it's out in the wild now, and chasing each individual downloader isn't going to stop these files being passed around.

      Although, they seemed to clamp down pretty hard on the DOS 6 distributors a few years ago - a few people still have the source to that, but you can't seem to find it out there any more!

  2. Not so much fuss about Debian or SF break ins by DrSkwid · · Score: 5, Interesting


    You'd think the FBI had some sort of pro-corporate bias!

    --
    There are places where the networks are not touching,and there are places where they are-Boeing's Lori Gunter
    1. Re:Not so much fuss about Debian or SF break ins by lukewarmfusion · · Score: 5, Interesting

      As I posted earlier in this discussion, the MS security officer is Scott Charney, formerly of the FBI Cybercrime division. So yes, there certainly are connections.

  3. MSHTML was in the .tar and Winsock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting


    MSHTML.dll for those that don't know is the heart of Internet Explorer , (iexplore.exe is just a wrapper for mshtml) prepare for some exciting browser exploits , Winsock should ensure there is plenty of fun to be had with windows networking sockets

    and don't forget MSPaint was in the source tree so Adobe had better watch out :))

  4. Pure Public Relations by rueger · · Score: 5, Interesting

    After reading the article, I can only say it's pure PR speak, factually error prone, and more than a bit slanted. Perhaps this paragraph explains the timing:

    "The announcement of the leak came on the same day Microsoft pushed in Washington for tougher anti-counterfeit legislation in the United States and worldwide, saying pervasive pirating of computer software was hurting the industry."

    Given that any number of companies and computer professionals have access to Windows source for various reasons, it's not unreasonable to think that occasionally chunks of it appear in the wild.

    And certainly a lack of source code hasn't slowed down the virus and worm industry.

    Consequently I have to assume that this story is just a way for Microsoft to build support for even more draconian anti-piracy and DRM laws.

    As a post-script - the original post and magazine link should be modded +5 funny at best. It's really quite pathetic.

    --
    Three Squirrels
  5. The article is complete crap by 1u3hr · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Counterfeiters have been trying to get their hands on Windows source code for years. So have computer activists who say that programs could be made to work better with Windows if the source code were public.

    Counterfeiters don't want the source code, they just copy the binaries and maybe a hack to circumvent registration.
    "Computer activists" even less so -- copying Windows code would poison any GPL project.

    In any case, Microsoft's code allows the company to keep its near-monopoly on computer operating systems, for the same reason Coca-Cola guards its secret formula.

    True; but the reason Coke and MS have near monopolies is because of marketing, not innate superiority of their products (Pepsi wins most blind taste tests; Macs win all usability tests).

    In parts of Asia and the former Soviet Union piracy rates approach 90 per cent, they said. As a result, the US software industry loses $US13 billion ($A16.52 billion) a year for counterfeiting and other forms of software piracy.

    Debatable; but irrelevant anyway.

    The US Congress is considering legislation designed to close a number of legal loopholes often allowing counterfeiters to get away with their activities, specifically prohibiting trafficking in genuine authentication components.

    Again, the idea that this will make piracy more prevalent -- it will have no affect at all on MS warez.

  6. Piracy != lost profit by inf0mike · · Score: 5, Interesting
    As a result, the US software industry loses $US13 billion ($A16.52 billion) a year for counterfeiting and other forms of software piracy.

    It amazes me just how much emphasis is placed on financial losses due to piracy. Just because people are using pirated versions of software does not mean they would have bought it anyway! The figure qouted is a "best case scenario" projection of what could have been new sales, but the companies are not actually losing that amount from money they have already earned.

  7. Yep any p2p can track. by nurb432 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Unless you use something like Freenet to download.

    But even there they can see your IP. There just is no way to prove it was you that did the request, or was just 'forwarding' the request thru your node....

    --
    ---- Booth was a patriot ----
  8. Re:I don't know if this is true by Daniel+Boisvert · · Score: 5, Interesting

    cough... cough... FUD...

    I spoke with a gent on the same network reporting the same experience (could be the same guy :) and read the email they sent him. The email was sent from Microsoft, not from the FBI or any law enforcement entity.

    It's not FUD. The gent in question also mentioned that his torrent download jumped from about 100K/s to 600K/s at some point through the download, which would lead me to believe that somebody with fat pipes *cough*Microsoft*cough* jumped into the swarm, likely in order to start tracing IP addresses.

    I do wonder a bit about that, however, because if Microsoft jumps into the torrent to start nabbing IP's, haven't they also contributed to the dissemination of the source code by participating in its distribution? I'd imagine that it's no more of a problem for them legally than it is to undercover police selling drugs in sting operations. I do wonder if it should be, however...especially considering that they're *not* a law enforcement agency.

    Dan

  9. DMCA in full effect by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    you may receive a letter like the one below if you pull the file off of edonkey (Windows.source.code.w2k...). this is kind of ironic, because the file downloadeed was a fake.

    > Hash: SHA1
    >
    > J.K. Weston
    > Microsoft Corporation
    > One Microsoft Way
    > Redmond, WA 98052
    > jkweston@microsoft.com
    > Tel: (425) 703-5529
    >
    >
    >
    > URGENT/IMMEDIATE ATTENTION REQUIRED
    > VIA ELECTRONIC MAIL
    >
    > Re: NOTICE OF POTENTIAL UNLAWFUL DISTRIBUTION OF MICROSOFT SOURCE CODE AT:
    > xx.xx.xx.xx
    > Date of Infringement: Detail below.
    >
    > Dear xxxxxxxxxx:
    >
    > We have received information that one of your users as identified above by
    > the SITE/URL xxxxxxxxx may have engaged in the unlawful distribution
    > of Microsoft's source code for Windows 2000, and/or Windows NT4, by
    > distributing and offering for download these source code files via a
    > peer-to-peer network.
    >
    > Since you own this IP address, we request that you take appropriate action
    > against the account holder under your Abuse Policy/Terms of Service
    > Agreement.
    >
    > We also kindly request that you forward this notice promptly to the user
    > of the IP address listed above at the time and date stated.
    >
    >
    >
    > To the user at xx.xx.xx.xx:
    >
    > The unauthorized copying and distribution of Microsoft's protected source
    > code is a violation of both civil and criminal copyright and trade secret
    > laws. If you have downloaded and are making the source code available for
    > downloading by others, you are violating Microsoft's rights, and could be
    > subject to severe civil and criminal penalties.
    >
    > Microsoft demands that you immediately (1) cease making Microsoft's source
    > code available or otherwise distributing it, (2) destroy any and all
    > copies you may have in your possession, and (3) provide us any and all
    > information about how you came into possession of this code.
    >
    > Microsoft takes these issues very seriously, and will pursue legal action
    > against individuals who take part in the proliferation of it source code.
    > We look forward to your prompt cooperation. Should you need to contact
    > me, I can be reached at the address above or at jkweston@microsoft.com.
    >
    > Very truly yours,
    > By
    > J.K. Weston