Why Should Microsoft Need eBay's Help In Fixing An Excel Problem?
from the just-wondering... dept
Apparently someone who worked out a security flaw in Microsoft Excel sent the company the details of the flaw, and then turned around and offered up the details on eBay. eBay shut down the auction, pointing out that they have a “policy against encouraging illegal activity.” Of course, it’s not clear that knowing the details of a software flaw is “illegal activity,” but that’s besides the point. What is odd, though, is that the press report claims: “Microsoft is aware of the reported flaw and has been working with eBay on the matter, a company representative said in a statement.” Working with eBay? What work could Microsoft possibly have to do with eBay? Shouldn’t the work be focused on fixing the flaw in their own software, rather than (as the quote suggests) trying to track down the guy who is trying to expose it?
Comments on “Why Should Microsoft Need eBay's Help In Fixing An Excel Problem?”
No Subject Given
Are you sure the statement wasn’t in reference to the flaw being put up for auction?
As in, “Microsoft is aware of the flaw and is working with eBay to resolve this (auction) matter.”
Re: No Subject Given
That is probably what they’re talking about, but it still seems odd, doesn’t it? Shouldn’t the focus simply be on fixing the flaw? There’s nothing to “work with” eBay about. If the auction goes against their policies they’ll remove it
Re: Re: No Subject Given
I’m sure they are focusing on fixing the flaw, but until the time when it is fixed they don’t want it getting to the general public.
Re: Re: No Subject Given
Agreed, but you know PR departments, and their lawyers, and their drive to put anyone in jail that looks at a company wrong.
Some MS lawyer is likely looking for a name to put on a lawsuit while the code monkeys are looking for a way to fix the original problem. In the end the idiot who put the problem up for sale will be blamed for creating it when they (the PR people)have to explain the situation to the bosses at MS.
Re: Re: No Subject Given
(sarcasm) You mean the media is misapplying the focus of a story in regards to technology?!? ::gasp:: (/sarcasm)
Sounds to me like it’s just a poor choice of words. Kinda like ending your sentence with a preposition. I hate grammer, so…
Re: Re: Re: Prepositions
Ending a sentence in a preposition is something up with which I will not put.
— Winston Churchill —
No Subject Given
is it possible that microsoft is not aware of what the bug actually is? maybe they need this guy to find out what he knows
Re: No Subject Given
I’m quite sure they are aware of the problem since I’m sure they’ve seen a copy of the eBay auction. It’s just a matter of how long it will be before they release the patch…grr…(mumbles about how much I hate MS and the like)
Re: No Subject Given
^^^ Hey you, read.
“someone who worked out a security flaw in Microsoft Excel *sent the company the details of the flaw*”
No Subject Given
situation seems fishy to me. all the more reason for folks to support OpenOffice…
MS Practices and the Excel Flaw
When it comes to balancing the rights of the individual, the rights of society at large, and the rights of corporations, and the practicalities and needs of an effectively working marketplace, is it all the rights that money can buy, or all the corruption that money can buy?