Microsoft slams Google for exposing security flaw

PanARMENIAN.Net - Microsoft has criticised Google for highlighting a security flaw in Windows 8.1 before it had the time to fix it, Digital Spy said.

The computing giant's security chief Chris Betz said that the search engine firm's actions were more about one-upmanship than "principles".

He wrote in a blog post: "We asked Google to work with us to protect customers by withholding details until Tuesday, January 13, when we will be releasing a fix.

"Although following through keeps to Google's announced timeline for disclosure, the decision feels less like principles and more like a 'gotcha', with customers the ones who may suffer as a result.

"What's right for Google is not always right for customers. We urge Google to make protection of customers our collective primary goal."

Betz argues that public exposure of these flaws puts pressure on companies to scramble and push out a patch, sometimes prematurely.

Google sat on the issue for 90 days before disclosing the Windows 8.1 flaw.