Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Microsoft Apologizes for Serving Malware

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the caught-sneaking-one-by dept.

dark_15 writes "Microsoft has apologized for serving malware via its websites and Windows Live Messenger software. APC reader Jackie Murphy reported the problem: 'With Microsoft launching Vista along with their Defender software to protect users from viruses and spyware, it seems therefore to be an oxymoron that they have started to putting paid changing banner advertisements for malware, on the popular MSN groups servers.'"

2 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Motive? by Phisbut · · Score: 4, Insightful

    You're giving them too much credit. This is a case of plain old stupidity.

    Plus, their apology and recommendations aren't any less stupid. From TFA : Microsoft recommends customers follow our Protect your PC guidance at www.microsoft.com/protect.

    Let's have a look at their guidance: Protect your computer in 4 steps :

    Step 1. Keep your firewall turned on
    A firewall is useless in this situation. The user manually downloaded and executed a piece of software.

    Step 2. Keep your operating system up-to-date
    See step 1.

    Step 3. Use updated antivirus software
    That's exactly what the user is trying to do. The message lets the user believe he needs to use this software as a protection against viruses, spyware and whatnot. Plus, it's on a Microsoft.com page. You gotta trust Microsoft.

    Step 4. Use updated antispyware technology
    See step 3.

    --
    After 3 days without programming, life becomes meaningless
    - The Tao of Programming
  2. Re:SystemDoctor 2006?? by texaport · · Score: 4, Insightful
    "4 out of 5 dentists surveyed, recommend sugarless gum for patients who chew gum"
    really meant that 20% of dentists wanted you chewing the stuff that rots your teeth ...

    If you polled system utilities firms, I'm not sure whether they WANT you to buy Vista,
    or run an old rotten O/S that turned AV from a cottage industry to a major profit center.