Microsoft is giving law enforcers access to a special tool that keeps tabs on botnets. It's done by using data compiled from the 450 million computer users who have installed the Malicious Software Removal tool coming with Windows.
"The tool includes data and software that helps law enforcers get a better picture of the data being provided by Microsoft's users", said Tim Cranton, associate general counsel with Microsoft's World Wide Internet Safety Programs.
Botnets are networks consisting of hacked computers. This kind of network is like a super computer that is used for example to send spam and attack servers on the Internet. Botnets have been on Microsoft's radar for about four years - since the company identified them as a significant emerging threat.
Microsoft hasn't come to public with the tool before this but it turns out that it was used in Canadian police's bust made in February. The Sûreté du Québec used botnet-buster to break up a network that had infected nearly 500,000 computers in 110 countries according to Captain Frederick Gaudreau, who heads up the provincial police force's cybercrime unit.
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