Microsoft confirms it is the latest tech giant to suffer cyber attacks

23 Feb 2013

The same cyber attacks being experienced by Facebook and Apple are also occurring at Microsoft, the software giant has revealed.

Microsoft’s general manager of Trustworthy Computing Security Matt Thomlinson said that the nature of the attacks it has sustained in recent week are the same as those that hit Facebook and Apple, utilising a zero-day Java vulnerability.

Thomlinson said that a number of computers in Microsoft’s Mac business unit were infected by malicious software.

In a blog post he said: “As reported by Facebook and Apple, Microsoft can confirm that we also recently experienced a similar security intrusion.

“Consistent with our security response practices, we chose not to make a statement during the initial information gathering process. During our investigation, we found a small number of computers, including some in our Mac business unit, that were infected by malicious software using techniques similar to those documented by other organisations. We have no evidence of customer data being affected and our investigation is ongoing. 

“This type of cyber attack is no surprise to Microsoft and other companies that must grapple with determined and persistent adversaries. We continually re-evaluate our security posture and deploy additional people, processes, and technologies as necessary to help prevent future unauthorised access to our networks,” Thomlinson said.

Cyber attack image via Shutterstock

John Kennedy is a journalist who served as editor of Silicon Republic for 17 years

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