It is good to read that for once Microsoft is going to court for the right reasons: http://blog.seattlepi.com/microsoft/archives/173922.asp?from=blog_last3
Microsoft alleges that a Hong Kong-based company has been obtaining the usernames and passwords of Windows Live Messenger users, using those to hack into Microsoft’s system and users’ accounts, scraping their contact information, and using those contacts to continue the bulk spamming.
The company, Funmobile Ltd., allegedly sends an instant message that appears to be from the e-mail address of a person’s Windows Live contact, Microsoft says. The message contains a link to a Web site that requires users to enter their Windows Live log-in information. Then it redirects to an adult Web site or bogus social network for Windows Live users.
The suit alleges the defendants breached the Windows Live contract, tortuously interfered with Microsoft’s business relationships, violated the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violated the Federal Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, violated the Washington state Anti-Phishing Statute, trespassed on Microsoft property (its servers), and hence were unjustly enriched.
“Above all, we hope the lawsuit will send a clear message to all potential perpetrators that this kind of activity is not tolerated on our networks,” Cranton wrote.
Make sure you read the full article on the link above. At least now I can tell my friends when they spam me through MSN that they no longer have a virus but have rather been hacked, or more likely unknowingly given away their login details through visiting a fake MSN site. Good on Microsoft for taking the spammers to task on this one too.
