CNet News.com has an interesting interview with Marc Maiffret, the former teenage hacker who went on to become the co-founder eEye Digital Security, making him one of foremost authorities in finding holes in Microsoft's programs. Among other things, Maiffret has some surprising comments about present-day Microsoft, describing the Redmond company as now ahead of Apple in its approach to computer security.

Of course, that would represent a huge turnaround over the past decade. Microsoft has historically been held up as a model for security holes. Maiffret says the company clearly isn't perfect, but it's doing far better than it did, and he traces the change to the release of Bill Gates' landmark Trustworthy Computing memo in 2002.

"(Gates) stated this was the No. 1 objective of the company, to have the software become secure to the point where people actually trust it. There was a lack of faith in Microsoft and security, especially after all the computer worms like Code Red and Slammer. Banks were talking to Microsoft about switching," Maiffret said. "Now when you look at Microsoft today they do more to secure their software than anyone. They're the model for how to do it. They're not perfect; there's room for improvement. But they are definitely doing more than anybody else in the industry, I would say."

The full interview is worth a read. Via Softpedia.

Thanks to Jonah for pointing this out.