Class-action suit points to Microsoft security flaws

["Richard M. Smith" <rms@computerbytesman.com>]

Class-action suit points to Microsoft security flaws
http://news.com.com/2100-1009-5085730.html 

Microsoft faces a proposed class-action lawsuit in California based on the 
claim that its software's market dominance and
vulnerability to viruses could lead to "massive, cascading failures" in global 
computer networks. 

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court, also claims that 
Microsoft's security warnings are too complex to be
understood by the general public and serve instead to tip off "fast-moving" 
hackers on how to exploit flaws in its operating system.


The suit claims unfair competition and the violation of two California consumer 
rights laws, one of which is intended to protect the
privacy of personal information in computer databases. It asks for unspecified 
damages and legal costs, as well as an injunction
against Microsoft barring it from unfair business practices. 

Many of the arguments in the lawsuit and some of its language echoed a report 
issued by computer security experts in late September,
which warned that the all-but-total reach of Microsoft's software on desktops 
worldwide had made computer networks a national
security risk. 

...

"Microsoft's eclipsing dominance in desktop software has created a global 
security risk," the lawsuit said. "As a result of
Microsoft's concerted effort to strengthen and expand its monopolies by tightly 
integrating applications with its operating
system.the world's computer networks are now susceptible to massive, cascading 
failure." 

With some $49 billion in cash and more than 90 percent of the market in PC 
operating systems, Microsoft has long been seen as a
potential target for massive liability lawsuits. 

...