Class-action suit points to Microsoft security flaws
http://news.com.com/2100-1009-5085730.html=20

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.=20

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.=20

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.=20

...

"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."=20

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.=20

...