Hackers Break Into Microsoft's Network

N E W  Y O R K, Oct. 27 -- Hackers reportedly broke into Microsoft Corp.’s computer network and may have stolen blueprints to the latest versions of the company’s Windows and Office software.

Microsoft and the FBI are investigating the break-in, which wasdiscovered Wednesday by the software giant’s security employees,The Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site Friday, citingpeople familiar with the situation.

Security employees discovered that passwords used to transferthe source code behind Microsoft’s software were being sent fromthe company’s computer network in Redmond, Wash., to an e-mailaccount in St. Petersburg, Russia, the Journal reported.

A Microsoft spokesman confirmed that the company’s corporatenetwork had been hacked and said “the integrity of Microsoftsource code remains secure,” the newspaper reported.

A person familiar with the break-in told the Journal that itappeared the hackers accessed Microsoft’s system by e-mailingsoftware, called QAZ Trojan, to the company’s network and thenopening a so-called back door through the infected computer.

Microsoft was planning to investigate the break-in without helpfrom U.S. authorities, the Journal reported, but the companycontacted the FBI on Thursday.

The FBI declined comment when contacted early today by TheAssociated Press.