Microsoft to warn email users about govt hacking attempts

New York - Microsoft said it will tell users of its email and cloud storage services when government-backed hackers may have targeted them.

The policy expands on existing procedures where Microsoft tells users if they believe an account has been targeted or compromised by a third party, corporate vice-president Scott Charney wrote in a blog post on Wednesday.

“We’re taking this additional step of specifically letting you know if we have evidence that the attacker may be ‘state- sponsored’ because it is likely that the attack could be more sophisticated or more sustained than attacks from cybercriminals and others," Charney wrote.

“We do not plan on providing detailed or specific information about the attackers or their methods.”

Microsoft, whose internet services include Outlook.com email and OneDrive online storage, joins rivals including Google in advising customers when they suspect state-sponsored groups attacked their accounts. Countries seeking access to personal communications often use anti-terrorism efforts or protecting national security as motives.