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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

 

Microsoft Tricks Hacker Into Jail

`Nobody was ever arrested for leaking the secret source code for parts of the Windows operating system in 2004, but a hacker who sold a copy online afterward was sentenced to two years in federal prison Friday. [..]

Like many others, Genovese downloaded a copy. Unlike others, he posted a note to his website offering it for sale.

According to court records, an investigator hired by Microsoft took Genovese up on his offer and dropped two Hamiltons on the secret source code. The investigator then returned and arranged a second $20 transaction for an FBI agent, which led to Genovese’s indictment under the U.S. Economic Espionage Act, which makes it a felony to sell a company’s stolen trade secrets. After consulting with his public defender, Genovese pleaded guilty last August.’




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