Microsoft declares a price of 5 million dollars for hackers' heads

In a most unusual step, Microsoft Corporation has created a $5-million (U.S.) fund to track down malicious hackers that target the software giant's popular Windows operating systems.

Microsoft offered two $250,000 rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the Blaster worm and the SoBig.F e-mail virus, which infected more than half a million computers, crashed thousands of systems, and snarled Internet traffic across the globe in August and September.

The world's largest software company - which last month admitted that security concerns have begun to affect its bottom line - also said it had earmarked an additional $4.5 million for future rewards.

The announcement was made in Washington by Microsoft representatives, flanked by agents of the cybercrime divisions of the federal bureau of investigations, secret service and interpol.