July 8, 2009. Microsoft security glitches, amplified by Microsoft policy, are now being used to disrupt the White House, the NY Stock Exchange, and many other government web sites in the U.S. and South Korea. Cyber attacks, like the continuing July-4th attack, rely on Microsoft's security glitches. One Microsoft policy unitentionally ads to this problem.

The hundreds of security holes in Windows that Microsoft constantly issues fixes for are unintentional. But it has a policy of denying security fixes to users of bootleg copies of Windows. The result is millions of extra-vulnerable computers, especially in the third world. Cyber attackers gain control of these by the thousands and use them in their cyber attacks.

Cyber-security experts estimate that 30,000 to 60,000 computers, mostly located in China, South Korea and Japan are being used in the attack, which is unsophisticated, but one of the largest and most sustained ever seen. These Windows computers have been infected by viruses and are being controlled by the North Koreans.

Although, Microsoft is trying to discourage bootlegging, the effect of it's policy combined with it's irresponsible history of releasing software full of security vulnerabilities has created a huge public nuisance. This affects us all. Vulnerable computers are spread the viruses the end up on our personal computers. more from Wired