Posted by Richard BoscovichSenior Attorney, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit
Today, the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice announced a legal and technical operation to take down the Coreflood botnet, using a civil suit for a temporary restraining order against the operators of the botnet and criminal seizure warrants in order to disable the botnet’s infrastructure.
We commend the FBI and DOJ for the action against Coreflood . There is clearly strong public and private momentum in the fight against botnets and the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit was happy to provide technical information from the lessons we learned from the recent Rustock and Waledac botnet takedowns to assist these agencies in their operation.
Posted by Brendon LynchChief Privacy Officer, Microsoft
Today, I’m happy to share a new Microsoft publication, Building Global Trust Online: Policy Perspectives on Privacy, Safety and Security. It’s intended as a starting point for discussions with policymakers on these important and sometimes difficult issues and also provides good insights into Microsoft’s perspective on key issues. Building Global Trust Online relies on extensive work and ongoing research by Microsoft’s internal teams as well as consultation with external subject-matter experts.
Within Building Global Trust Online, you’ll find overviews of key issues; a summary of Microsoft’s response to these issues, which includes products, services and global collaborations; and a list of helpful resources and links for further reading and support.
Almost three weeks ago, I blogged about the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit’s takedown of the Rustock botnet in an action dubbed “Operation b107.”
The takedown has thus far proven to be very successful and, since that time, we’ve worked every day to keep Rustock down, and begin the process of undoing the damage that it has caused. Yesterday afternoon, we returned to the court for a hearing where those accused of operating the Rustock botnet could answer to the allegations, and dispute the need for the temporary restraining order.
As we expected, they did not appear.
Posted by Frank McCoskerManaging Director, Microsoft Global Strategic Accounts
This week, I’m in Nairobi, Kenya for the United Nations Chief Executive Briefing, where Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, launched the UN’s new energy neutral Nairobi office building. The building is the first of its kind for the UN in Africa and is a global showcase of sustainable design and technology.
We are proud to be part of UNEP’s inspirational goal of supporting forward-thinking and environmentally responsible technology - this goal is shared by the many UN partners and leaders also gathered in Kenya to attend the building’s launch.
Posted by Andrew KoSenior Director, U.S. Partners in Learning
Last week, I had the opportunity to participate in one of three panel discussions with some of the most influential school leaders at the ‘Unite to Make a Difference’ Education Forum, hosted by USA TODAY and the Council of Great City Schools. Superintendents from across the country gathered to discuss the state of education and to address some of the biggest issues facing education in our public schools today. You can watch the replay here.
My panel discussion focused on how businesses and the media can collaborate to improve education. I was joined by superintendents Mary Ellen Elia from Hillsborough County Schools in Tampa, Florida, Eugene White from Indianapolis Public Schools and Alberto Carvalho from Miami-Dade Public Schools, as well as business leaders Paula Prahl from Best Buy and Vin Seunath from SMART Technologies. Urban education is under tremendous pressure to improve, and while there is mounting criticism, schools are rising to the occasion.