Microsoft invites hackers to test Vista

**Doctor Feelgood**

After suffering embarrassing security exploits over the past several years, Microsoft Corp. is trying a new tactic: inviting some of the world's best-known computer experts to try to poke holes in Vista, the next generation of its Windows operating system.

Microsoft made a test version of Vista available to about 3,000 security professionals Thursday as it detailed the steps it has taken to fortify the product against attacks that can compromise bank account numbers and other sensitive information.

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DragonMaster · Rated NC-17 Joined: 31 May 2006 Posts: 134

So the beta testers aren't going to be the final users anymore it seems...

FOX · Posted: Fri, 04 Aug 2006 13:46:41 Post Subject:

ABOUT TIME!! im glad theyre doing this. I think it will help alot as long as it is the hackers that have converted their ways for good lol... hopefully they find a lot of the issues....

martz · Rated R Joined: 31 Jul 2006 Posts: 54

this is a good idea in my book ..... maybe with microsoft admitting that they need help with their security issues we're getting to see a more customer-centric side to the evil empire.

hey .. maybe we will be able to get affordable software soon Smile

it'll not stop me rebuilding my compaq r4000 with ubuntu tho ..... and i have a genuine windows licence Grin

**Doctor Feelgood** · Posted: Sat, 05 Aug 2006 01:30:41 Post Subject:

Hackers tear Vista a new one...

http://www.internetnews.com/security/article.php/3624861

That didn't take long... or what seems like much effort.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Well in all honesty, the hacker community has had Vista for at least as long as the MSDN users have had it....so they would've already known how to do it Razz

At least this route MS can work with them to fix flaws...those that are attending those kinds of conferences aren't typically there to find exploits to cause problems themselves, but rather to help software developers protect against those flaws.

knight0334 · Posted: Sat, 05 Aug 2006 10:42:44 Post Subject:

If we'd just start executing hackers, security wouldn't be much of an issue.

...we wouldn't need locks if there were no thieves.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

MS is going even further to have people test the security of Vista...

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1895,1999070,00.asp?kc=EWEWEMNL080706EPW5A

T-shirt · Posted: Mon, 07 Aug 2006 14:50:58 Post Subject:

That's a good next step.
I'm hopeing they'll go one more before release (when they believe it's as tight as they can make it) and offer a bounty, say $10-50k (sliding scale depending on severity with say a $2millon total cap)for major new bugs.
That should even get some hackers to step forward with the backdoors they have been 'saving' for resale/use after release. They can't pre announce it as some people might wait (the danger being, someone else reports it first.
Most would jump at a legal $50k sure thing over a maybe still hidden possible attack/possible profit (with major risk) later.
$2 million (max. if there more than 40 big bugs left, it's back to the drawing board) would be a cheap final test, given what they have put in it, and what they will make, on a well tested really secure product.

Hellfire · Rated XXX Joined: 05 Aug 2003 Posts: 3473

Yea, would be nice.

They are doing a good job at at least attempting to fix holes, they've got some big guns already going at it....

Time will tell...see what they end up with....