Unauthorized XP Copies Slip Out - Again

For the second time within one week, security for the Windows XP public beta was breached. Several readers reported the vulnerability to BetaNews late last night, confirming that it was possible to download the pre-release code. The server configuration was not fixed until 3:30 PM EST today. A mistake was made when Microsoft hosting partner Conxion attempted to filter an earlier leak of the preview. While the servers successfully blocked access to a lowercase URL, pirates quickly noticed a failure to block uppercase versions, a feature inherent to Microsoft's IIS.

A Conxion official attributed the glitch to, "an inconsistency in filtering user access." Once again, no activation keys were made available to hackers who downloaded the software. Conxion maintains that services for its paying customers did not experience a disruption as a result of the flood of unauthorized downloads. The company remains the primary Microsoft partner that oversees the software giant's mass downloads.

As previously reported, over 50,000 users who applied for the beta program opted for the download option. Due to the highly publicized security flaw, countless more have also enjoyed access to the download.