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Bing hit by costly security loophole

It has spent hundreds of millions of dollars trying to take on Google, but Microsoft’s Bing search engine was facing embarrassment today, after it emerged that a security loophole could allow users to skim huge sums of money from the system without its knowledge.

The security glitch, which is linked to a “cash back” system operated by Bing, potentially leaves users and retailers exposed to fake transactions. But despite an outcry online over the existence of the loophole, the world’s largest company has responded to the issue by threatening legal action against the man who discovered the problem.

The furore surrounds Bing’s “cash back” system, intended to encourage internet users to opt for its search engine instead of Google. First launched last year, before Microsoft rebranded its search website, the affiliate scheme offers users the chance to earn money back for every product they buy through the service.

According to the site, Microsoft says “Bing cashback is a great way for you to save money when you shop online… you’ll earn a percentage of the product price as cashback”.