Hackers, virus writers and software pirates could run rampant if Microsoft disclosed the technical product information that nine states have requested as an antitrust penalty, a company executive says. Jim Allchin, who oversees the Windows operating system, said that disclosures sought by the states "would make it easier for hackers to break into computer networks, for malicious individuals or organizations to spread destructive computer viruses and for unethical people to pirate" Microsoft's flagship software. The states want the disclosures so competitors' software can work as well with Windows as Microsoft's own products. The overwhelming market share of Windows gives Microsoft a leg up on other software makers, they say.
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