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HEADLINE: Microsoft Software Glitch May Allow Access to Web Sites

By Bloomberg News April 14, 2000, 3:35 a.m. PT REDMOND, Wash.--Microsoft said its engineers included a secret phrase, "Netscape engineers are weenies," in some software that could be used to gain illicit access to hundreds of thousands of Internet sites worldwide, according to reports.

The company planned to warn customers as soon as possible after the digital gaffe was spotted by an employee of marketing services company ClientLogic and an online security consultant called "Rain Forest Puppy," who received a tip about the code from ClientLogic.

The affected file is installed in Microsoft's Internet-server software with Frontpage 98 extensions that's believed to be used by many Web sites, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Steve Lipner, manager of Microsoft's security-response center.

Microsoft rival Netscape Communications, which was bought by America Online in March 1999, helped to expand online use and develop the Internet.

Copyright 2000, Bloomberg L.P. All rights reserved.

http://news.cnet.com/news//0-1003-200-1696137.html?tag=st.ne.1003.thed.1003-200-1696137

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), April 14, 2000