Blog Archive

Offer $ 250,000 Reward, Microsoft Challenge "Hacker"

(Our Tech Blog) Microsoft challenged hackers to develop new approaches to computer security efforts through the Blue Hat event Prize. For hackers who won this competition, Microsoft promised to give a cash prize of 250,000 dollars.

Based on Kate Missouris, the senior leadership of Microsoft's Trustworthy Computing Group, quoted from kompas, the purpose of the competition is to solve security problems by exploiting mitigate or enhance the effectiveness of existing mitigation solutions.

"Microsoft wanted to further motivate those who are experts in information technology security to think of ways to reduce attacks on computers," he was quoted as saying Missouris TechFlash site on Wednesday (03/08/2011). Currently, Microsoft has used several anti-exploitation technologies, such as DEP, ASLR, and SEHOP, to resist intrusion into a computer without permission.

Missouris say, Blue Hat Prize is the largest award given in computer security technology. He hopes the hackers, security researchers, and academics participated in this competition and develops software that bear attacks in the Windows platform.

"We believe that the Blue Hat Prize can motivate the most talented researchers and academics to confront the challenges of security issues as well as offering an opportunity for them to contribute to the world," said Missouris again.

For those who want to follow this competition, Microsoft is offering two corresponding problems, namely space information disclosure and return-oriented programming (ROP). However, contestants are free to choose other problems.

Solutions that are developed must meet five conditions, including a CPU and memory cost no more than 5 percent, could function in the Windows platform, and developed with the Microsoft Windows SDK. Deadline for submission is 1 April 2012.

Interested to come? The first winner will get U.S. $ 200,000 and the runner up U.S. $ 50,000. While all three winners will receive Microsoft Developer Netywork the Universal Subscription includes access to Visual Studio and other platforms worth U.S. $ 10,000. Winner of Aklan to get a patent for his work. However, Microsoft did not offer any royalties.