La compañía admitió que información vital del programa se había filtrado.
The software company Microsoft has admitted some vital information about its computer systems has been leaked onto the internet. It says the source code for the Windows operating system is being illegally distributed.
This report Duncan Bartlett:
Microsoft tries to keep the code for its Windows operating system a closely guarded secret. It's the equivalent of computer DNA and the firm fears if it falls into the wrong hands it could be used to infiltrate millions of computers worldwide. More than ninety percent of the world's PCs run Windows.
The code which has appeared on the web appears to be the basis of Windows 2000 and Windows NT. But massive programs such as Windows are complicated and difficult for all but the most sophisticated hackers to understand.
The other threat to Microsoft is that rival software firms could copy parts of the code and use it in similar programmes. Microsoft says it has contacted the law enforcement authorities to investigate how the data leaked out.
Earlier this week the company said that a critical flaw in the latest version of Windows could leave PCs vulnerable to hackers. It has urged home users and firms to download a free software repair patch from its website to fix the problem.
Duncan Bartlett, BBC
ADN de computadora
appears to be the basis of
parece ser la base de
rival software firms
firmas de informática rivales
vulnerable to hackers
vulnerable a los ciber-piratas
software repair patch
programa parche de reparación