The Latest in IT Security

By Jim Finkle BOSTON (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp said it has freed at least 4.7 million infected personal computers from control of cyber crooks in its most successful digital crime-busting operation, which interrupted service at an Internet-services firm last week. The worlds largest software maker has also identified at least another 4.7 million infected machines, though many are likely still controlled by cyber fraudsters, Microsofts cybercrime-fighting Digital Crimes Unit said on Thursday. Richard Domingues Boscovich, assistant general counsel of the unit, said Microsoft would quickly provide government authorities and Internet service providers around the world with the IP addresses of infected machines so they can help users remove the viruses. Those victims are currently not aware they are infected, Boscovich said in an interview.