There’s already the damning post of Dutch security company Fox-IT regarding the way Microsoft deals with its fellow botnet slayers.
But now a representative “of a large international security company” has (anonymously) stepped forward and informed Dutch news website Nu.nl that:
- He is an undercover operative investigating botnets and now Microsoft is on the verge of forcing him to disclose his identity as part of a litigation campaign
- Thanks to Microsoft, criminals will have access to aliases used by undercover investigators
- IP addresses used by investigators may now be disclosed during court proceedings
- Even Gmail addresses used by investigators appear to have been exposed
- “What Microsoft is doing now is nothing less than disrupting criminal investigations” and “they’re destroying criminal proceedings in the US and the UK”
- Microsoft is effectively disclosing a list of companies involved in the botnet enforcement campaigns and their modus operandi
Ronald Prins, CEO and founder of Dutch security company Fox-IT states: “Microsoft should focus on developing software and leave the investigations to the security experts”
Possible explanations for Microsoft’s behavior could be:
- aim for quick wins, sheer stupidity and lack of experience on the matters
- ensuring (security) business continuity and taking out the competition
- driving enforcement back into the hands of government organizations instead of the private sector
- intentionally or unintentionally aiding and abetting criminals and criminal organizations
Dutch language news article:
http://www.nu.nl/internet/2802230/microsoft-verstoort-strafrechtelijk-onderzoek.html
Previously:
Fox-IT Releases Highly Critical Report About Microsoft’s Botnet Takedown Attempts. Microsoft Actually May Have Made Matters Worse
http://vrritti.com/2012/04/12/fox-it-releases-highly-critical-report-about-microsofts-botnet-takedown-attempts-microsoft-actually-may-have-made-matters-worse/
