Bridge Commander Universe

Pegasus · **Posted**: 02-12-2004 11:14 PM

Ok... I would ask for this to be stickied on the index page.

Neowin has learned of shocking and potentially devastating news. It would appear that two packages are circulating on the internet, one being the source code to Windows 2000, and the other being the source code to Windows NT. At this time, it is hard to establish whether or not full code has leaked, and this will undoubtedly remain the situation until an attempt is made to compile them. Microsoft are currently unavailable for comment surrounding this leak so we have no official response from them at the time of writing.

This leak is a shock not only to Neowin, but to the wider IT industry. The ramifications of this leak are far reaching and devastating. This reporter does not wish to be sensationalist, but the number of industries and critical systems that are based around these technologies that could be damaged by new exploits found in this source code is something that doesn't bare thinking about.

We ask that for the wider benefit of the IT community that members and readers support Microsoft by forwarding anything they know about the leak to the Microsoft's Anti-Piracy department.

Please do not post any links/screenshots/hints or anything to do with the source code outbreak. Discussion is allowed but we will not condone people spreading this source code.

Source. www.microsoft.com/piracy

**Nebula** · **Posted**: 02-12-2004 11:35 PM

ouch this is not good

Pegasus · **Posted**: 02-12-2004 11:37 PM

Ok... I ammended that post slightly.. i was told that www.neowind.com was responsible... but was mistaken. But the code is still out.

Admiral Fareway · Guest

so what exactly can they do with it?

**Nebula** · **Posted**: 02-12-2004 11:41 PM

hack in to your system with out you knowing and do any thing they want. even if you have a fire wall.

Pegasus · **Posted**: 02-12-2004 11:59 PM

That's essenatially it. the source code is the What windows is made of.
they can just litterally say

*Hacker*: "Hey computer... wh7y don't you let your firewall down and let me in"
*Computer*: "Sure... why not"
*Hacker then takes your Pc apart piece by piece.

Admiral Fareway · Guest

so how likely is it that it would hit me?
or anyone else for that matter

jwattsjr · **Posted**: 02-13-2004 12:25 AM

It wasn't the complete code, but a piece of it. MS is, of course, downplaying the security acspect. You can read more at:
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5158496.html
or:
http://www.infoworld.com/article/04/02/12/HNmicroleak_1.html

Guest · **Posted**: 02-26-2004 08:24 PM

This is scary...

**Raven Night** · **Posted**: 02-27-2004 02:21 AM

Actually this poses no threat at all.

Hackers do not need, nor do they use source code to hack into your computer.

This is simply the loss of Microsoft's secret with the code. Remember, Linux has been open source for a LONG time, but you dont see too many viruses for it.........this is about people against Microsoft.

**Armondikov** · **Posted**: 02-28-2004 02:33 PM

Rage Against Microsoft as it were, it's unlikely that serious hackers would target personal computers, you're most likely to get a virus that goes off on someone's birthday, flashes up some porn and deletes half your files just to be annoying. Most hackers would go after buisnesses. It can't create many more problems.

In fact it could be an advantage if we could lay our hands on the Window's source code, we could probably make it way better than before. MS probably don't want it released so they can hide all the bugs in it that force people to upgrade and call the helpdesk at £2 per minute. Smile

cds7318 · **Posted**: 05-10-2004 11:50 PM

Yeah, the reason why don't want their code out is because they dont want people to know how cr@py it is. plus with the code u can change just about anything you want. Windows NT now because Bobs fun place. Know what i mean? I'd like the source for Xp. I try has hard as i can to fix it up. But in the end.. Its still mircosoft. though Media player hasnt been cracked yet. Which was a big shock to me for how many people hate them. Just goes to show they might be able to do something right.

Dasher42 · **Posted**: 05-11-2004 05:53 PM

Mark · **Posted**: 05-11-2004 07:55 PM

linux just needs to be easier to set up, and for that to happen people need to get into it, the ppl who do get into it (mr effect up there for instance) reep the rewards, but i personally find some of the things about linux to simply be an anoyance when they could be alot simpler (for one the amount of trouble i had getting any soundcard to work with redhat was the worst).

its a pitty cos ive always wanted to get into linux but hey, i guess itll just have to wait.

Mark · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 12:17 AM

i agree with you to a point, if i had the time i wouldnt have yo much trouble with it im sure, but it is alot different to windows, and just because i use windows dosent make me an idiot btw, that kind of attitude will grant microsoft its hold of the software market for another 10 years. if linux were to have a "simpleton" version for linux it would start to errode microsofts undeniable control of the main user market. also i think that some more work needs to go into making linux a visible alternative, i mean how many install discs (for hardware i mean) come with a linux driver. none of my hardware ill tell ye that.

thankyou for your recomendations, i will get my hands on a copy of mandrake. and try it out.

btw when you say that you can play games better on linux, which games do you play on there?

**sneaker98** · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 12:54 AM

Ah, I have a few responses:

Raven: There are actually a few things hackers can do with the source code. Exploits can be found using it that werent known before.

Lynx: And just how many games do you get on the ol linux? Morrowind..? No? Dang. Will the Matrix Online be supported? No...? *Snaps finger* Best you can use is ol "Wine".

And how about that customer support? I remember with a certain virus, windows immediately came out with a fix. Do you really think linux would do that? Oh, but linux could never get a virus, right? Wrong! No self respecting hacker would bother targetting such a small minority.

And making money? Hundreds of programmers spent thousands of hours making the windows OS, and you're saying they shouldnt get paid? I'm a programmer myself, and that sort of thinking appauls me. We should get paid for our work, just like anyone else. Linux is just making it harder and harder to make ends meet.

As for linux install vs. windows... I don't really see much of a difference there. Gotta love how linux users like to think of themselves as elite. Especially with how windows-like linux is becomming Wink

MLeo · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 02:53 PM

MLeo · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 03:22 PM

MLeo · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 04:48 PM

**sneaker98** · **Posted**: 05-12-2004 11:16 PM

GhostOfThePast · Ensign Joined: 28 Dec 2003 Posts: 108

This is the second post on this subject I have made in the past two days. Kinda funny.
People who hate Microsoft probably have no clue of its history. Bill Gates' history was one of luck, not treachery and deceit. For instance, he got the deal early on with IBM because the other OS guy kicked the IBM guys out of his house.

If you look at the history of computers, everyone who is sucessful is sucessful due to someone else's f**k up. Believe me, Xerox would be way more than "The Paper Company" if they didn't screw up. They invented several things including most components of ethernet, but never pulled the patents. Therefore, other companies profitted. Same with IBM, they needed a computer quick to compete with Apple, so they made one that could be built from parts instead of everything being proprietary like Apples still are today. While it brought IBM great profit in the short run, the ability to build computers from parts hurt them in the long run as other businesses began doing the same.

The point is, Bill Gates can't win. You will sit there and complain how crappy the Media Player is, or how crappy the built in CD burner is, or how the built in Firewall is useless. But the instant Bill Gates make any of those comparable to others on the market, Microsoft bashers will say he's trying to monopolize another sector, drive companies out of business, etc

Time to stop being ignorant. Linux is not that great, you are not 'elite' because you use it. I've used Linux several times and several distros. Like Sneaker said, its becoming very similiar to Windows. Why use something that is basically a copy of something else, but that I have to muck around with?

"Linux gives you more control" If you know what you are doing, Windows can give you that same amount of control.

P.S. And Sneaker is also right about that site. Its all opinionated bulls**t. Take a look at the "Perpetual Upgrade" section on the why hate Microsoft. Last I checked, a lot of people are still using Windows 98 and IIRC, Microsoft is still releasing updates for it til 2005 or 2006. Just one lie amongst many on that site.

Some people need to think before they speak, because some posts in this thread come off as being posted by a pompous elite wannabe.

MLeo · **Posted**: 05-13-2004 04:04 PM

**sneaker98** · **Posted**: 05-13-2004 11:07 PM

No more petty insults, guys. I will lock this thread if need be.

Defiant · **Posted**: 05-14-2004 05:35 AM

...and I thought I can leave this Thread alone...

GhostOfThePast · Ensign Joined: 28 Dec 2003 Posts: 108

So what, an 18 year old took down many computers. You know why? Ignorant people who don't update. I repair computers as a side job. Most of my clients are college kids due to being located close to a University. Its amazing how many are running Windows XP WITHOUT Service Pack 1 still. College kids, the population who does the most file sharing and illegal downloading, are probably also the most un-updated. One girl said she thought that little Windows Update icon was "Microsoft trying to sell her something"

Several also do not have antivirus, they have the program that came with the computer, but of course it has since expired as the computer is over a year old. They haven't bothered to purchase a new subscription or program, because once again, they are ignorant to the fact as to Antivirus' function. Half don't even know whats on their machine. I can install AdAware on their system, use it to clean their system and show them what I did and they will still call a few weeks later describing a problem. "Do you still have Adaware?"...."Yes"...."Did you run it?"...."No, let me do that now." Five minutes later, gee, its fixed.

So don't blame Microsoft for user ignorance. 99% of the vulnerabilities that have been taken advantage of by worms, trojans, etc, were patched months before the outbreak. MSBlast and its variants are a good example of this. Even after the outbreak of MSBlast, the variants were still major, because people STILL did not understand the importance of updating.

An ignorant user is an ignorant user, a different operating system will not suddenly make them not ignorant or computer literate.

Glempius · **Posted**: 05-14-2004 09:47 AM

The updating thing isn't a problem for me as my computer at home is never connected to the net, and this machine I'm using now is a school PC, so the phase "not my problem" usually springs to mind Grin

Defiant · **Posted**: 05-14-2004 12:23 PM

GhostOfThePast · Ensign Joined: 28 Dec 2003 Posts: 108

You don't need to go to the web site, it has a built in updater. Once again, you spit out biased fiction Lynx.

MLeo · **Posted**: 05-14-2004 06:39 PM

Mark · **Posted**: 05-14-2004 06:56 PM