Hackers set to release new Back Orifice

The hackers responsible for the Back Orifice tool, which allows users tobreak into Windows NT networks, are set to release a new version next weekat the DEF CON tradeshow in Las Vegas. Back Orifice, which takes its namefrom Microsoft's BackOffice suite, usually is delivered as an emailattachment, which gets a virus into a local network when run. This virusthen makes the network susceptible to attack.

The group that makes Back Orifice says that they're simply trying to pointout vulnerabilities in Windows NT, but Microsoft isn't amused: The companysays Back Orifice is simply a malicious threat to security on the Internet.

"They have no other intent than maliciousness," says Microsoft's leadproduct manager for Windows NT security, Jason Garns. "Unfortunately, theyview this as being a game."

Microsoft also says that Back Orifice doesn't actually prove anything aboutthe security in Windows NT.

"It does not take advantage of any security vulnerability in Windows NT. Itattacks people, not technology," said Garns. "It was not created for thebenefit and benevolence of users."

Since the original Back Orifice was released last summer, most NTinstallations have been patch to prevent the program from causing any harm.But the new version offers a yet-unknown danger. We'll know more next weekwhen the tool is made public