Microsoft Pursues Lawsuits Against Unknown Internet Scammers

Microsoft Inc. is stepping up a notch in its attempt to unmask and go after online fly-by-night fraud companies that scams consumers into buying fake-antivirus systems that infect units with other malicious software.

Microsoft filed a lawsuit in Washington state Superior Court against five companies that are allegedly involve in scams and other malicious advertising. Richard Boscovich, a senior attorney in the company’s Internet Security Program said that the move is designed to send a message to cybercriminals. “We will take action if we find these things on our network, and we will be aggressive, we will go after the people who are trying to go after our networks and defraud consumers, publishers and advertisers who use our services” Mr. Boscovich told the New York Times. Microsoft named the five companies that allegedly distributes Trojan horse viruses peddling fake security software. They were “Soft Solutions,” “Direct Ad” “ITmeter INC" “qiweroqw.com” and “ote2008.info.” In the past, Microsoft used “John Doe” suits successfully in conducting internal investigations and prosecutions regarding malicious activity that has victimized its customers.