It was subsequently reported that hackers had accessed Microsoft's computers for more than a week. These hackers may have viewed source codes or the secret blueprints of products planned for future release. It's a fierce world out there. These attacks are both frequent and severe. Even Microsoft, a company with an abundance of technical and financial resources, cannot seem to implement an impenetrable fence.
Most large companies allow employees remote dial-in access to the company network.
Even with proper credential checks and antivirus software, an attack similar to the one on Microsoft would be possible. Hackers probably installed virus software called QAZ Trojan on the personal computer of a Microsoft employee. The QAZ may have secretly stolen the employee's password files and e-mailed them to the hacker, allowing the hacker to later log on Microsoft's computer posing as the authorized employee. Security experts agree that this break-in points out the vulnerability of today's corporate computer systems in general. Corporations are now realizing their employees' personal computer and old-fashioned security systems relying on passwords pose a serious security risk.