http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=422222004 STUART PATTERSON 15 Apr 2004 A TEENAGER who spotted a major security flaw in Microsoft's Windows operating system, told the company and then worked "round the clock" to correct it, says he never got a penny for his efforts. Matt Thompson, 19, was just out of college when he discovered the fault with the software. After he pointed out the problem to Microsoft, which is owned by the billionaire Bill Gates, he spent all his free time working with the firm to correct the error. Mr Thompson, from Aberdeen, said yesterday: "I haven't got any money from them, even though I'm sure they could easily afford it. Microsoft just expected me to work round the clock for the sake of it. "I did get an acknowledgement of thanks on their website, and I think that's supposed to act as my reward." Mr Thompson, a computer enthusiast from an early age, started working at the consultancy firm Aberdeen IT last summer. The company quickly put him to work creating websites and databases for its corporate clients. Like millions of other PC users around the world, his computer is fitted with Microsoft's Windows operating system. But as he used the software while creating a database for a client, he stumbled across an error that threatened the security of every computer that runs on the Windows system. The glitch leaves computers vulnerable to hackers, who can send viruses to the machines via the internet simply by inputting a number of commands into their own PC. He said: "I carried out a few tests. Then I did a few more. I spent hours checking it." Mai Luc, an official spokeswoman for Microsoft, said: "We do not operate a system where we give out financial rewards. "We would, however, like to thank Matt Thompson of Aberdeen IT for working with us to help protect customers by reporting the Jet Vulnerability." _________________________________________ ISN mailing list Sponsored by: OSVDB.org
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