Microsoft warns Google after public disclosure of Windows hacker faults

Tech giant Microsoft has taken a shot at Google after the search engine publicly disclosed news that its Windows personal computers were the subject of a hack, and that the flaws were not immediately fixable.

Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft said it was the subject of a cyber attack from a group known as Strontium, who have been linked to a variety of global hacks, including that on the Democratic National Committee.

Two researchers from Alphabet-owned Google identified the hack in October and promptly notified Microsoft, but then released the details publicly before the company could fully reach a solution.

Head of Windows operations at Microsoft Terry Myerson said Google's actions put its customers at risk.

"Google's decision to disclose these vulnerabilities before patches are broadly available and tested is disappointing, and puts customers at increased risk," Myerson said on a blog entry.

Google said earlier this week that its policy on publishing details of such hacks has been consistent.

"After 7 days, per our published policy for actively exploited critical vulnerabilities, we are today disclosing the existence of a remaining critical vulnerability in Windows for which no advisory or fix has yet been released," said the internet company in a statement.

"This vulnerability is particularly serious because we know it is being actively exploited."