Friday saw the start of "ferocious downloads" of leaked Windows source code, stoking concerns of an impending new wave of hacker attacks.
Reuters reports that after Microsoft alerted its millions of users on Thursday that parts of the source code for Windows NT and 2000 had been leaked, downloads have been happening on a large scale.
Microsoft said the code formed just a fraction of the entire program, but that did not stop major interest in the code, according to the news service. Noting the size of the files being swapped on Internet file-sharing networks on Friday, security experts feared there could be enough compromised code available to crack open vital pieces of software that runs millions of computers.
Prime target
"While we don`t know exactly what`s in circulation, every coder, every malware jockey and every hacker who has a reasonable understanding of programming is going to be looking to get their hands on this source code," said Richard Starnes, an information security specialist who works with various law enforcement agencies on cyber-crime investigations.
Security firms reported that two compressed files - one 203MB and another 229MB of NT and Windows 2000 - were being widely distributed on scores of online exchanges. The compressed files together amount to a CD-ROM`s worth of data and "represent less than 5% of Windows code. However, they warned it may relate critical security functions".
The concern is that virus writers and hackers could discover vulnerabilities in the software and use it to break into PCs running on Windows 2000 or NT to destroy or steal data.
In a statement posted on its website, Microsoft said: "It`s illegal for third parties to post Microsoft source code, and we take such activity very seriously. We are currently investigating these postings, and are working with the appropriate law enforcement authorities.
"At this point, it does not appear that this is the result of any breach of Microsoft`s corporate network or internal security. At this time, there is no known impact on customers. We will continue to monitor the situation."
Last year, Microsoft began sharing parts of its source code with governments that have been interested in tailoring it to fit, primarily, their security needs, according to Reuters. Some have estimated the exposure to institutions in 27 countries, which made it unsurprising that the leak occurred.
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