Hackers deface Microsoft.fr

Hackers on Sunday broke into a part of Microsoft's French website, replacing the front page with online graffiti.

The intruders were able to access the server that was running 'http://experts.microsoft.fr/', Microsoft confirmed on Monday. The attack was claimed by Turkish hackers using the handle 'TiTHacK', according to Zone-H, a security website that keeps an archive with screenshots of defaced websites.

The attackers were likely able to penetrate the server running the website due to faulty configuration, Microsoft said in a statement on Monday. "Microsoft took the appropriate action to resolve the issue and stop any additional criminal activity," the company said.

After breaking in, the attackers defaced the Microsoft website, leaving the following note: "Hi Master (: Your System 0wned By Turkish Hackers! redLine ownz y0u! Special Thanx And Gretz RudeBoy |SacRedSeer| The_Bekir And All Turkish HacKers next target: microsoft.com date: 18/06/2006 @ 19:06 WE WERE HERE...."

While so-called website defacements still occur often, they have become less high-profile in recent years as other, financially motivated threats take the spotlight.

Microsoft is working with law enforcement to investigate and take appropriate action against the attackers, the company said.

The compromised website was offline for most of Monday. Microsoft said it is working to restore the site, which is hosted at an unidentified third-party web hosting company. The website runs Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 with IIS 6.0 web server software, according to internet monitoring company Netcraft.

Microsoft said: "We apologise if customers are inconvenienced by the unavailability of the affected website. Microsoft is committed to helping protect our customers and we're working diligently with the third-party hosting company to restore the functionality of this website as soon as possible."

Joris Evers writes for CNET News.com