The world’s biggest software maker Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently disclosed an attempt to disrupt a cybercrime act that infected nearly thousands of personal computers. The cybercrime known as Bamitel botnet infected PCs with malicious software.
In order to seize the virus the company also collaborated with the renowned antivirus software maker Symantec Corporation. On January 31 Microsoft had filed a lawsuit in Alexandria, Virginia in federal court.
In the complaint it was stated that the virus targeted browsers and redirected them to search Bamitel choice websites. Soon after the attack Symantec along with Microsoft were able to design specific tools to help users clean the infected PCs. Assistant General Counsel, Richard Boscovich said nearly 1 million computers were infected with virus. The malware also took millions of dollars away from the search engines of advertisers.
Microsoft filed the lawsuit under multiple civil laws, including the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act along with Lanham Act.
Microsoft stock on Feb 06, 2013 reported a decrease of -0.56% to the closing price of $27.34. Its fifty two weeks range was $26.26 -$32.95. The total market capitalization remained $229.01 billion.
MSFT is ahead of its 52 weeks low with 4.11% and lagging behind from its 52 weeks high price with -15.23%. MSFT’s last month’s stock price volatility remained 1.67%. The stock price of MSFT is moving up from its 20 days moving average with 0.05 % and remote positively from 50 days moving average with 0.72%.
Microsoft’s beta coefficient included 0.96. Beta factor measures the amount of market risk associated with market trade.