Microsoft employee_s move against AOL backfires.

A Microsoft programmer apparently masqueraded as an independent computer consultant in an effort to discredit America Online_s tactics and behavior in its instant messaging battle with Microsoft, according to reports. Once the email message accusing AOL of irresponsible behavior, sent earlier this week, was traced back to a Microsoft employee, the software giant didn_t deny the connection, the New York Times reported Friday. Microsoft has not been able to identify which employee sent the message, the Times reported. The message, sent via a free Yahoo email account, was ironically sent to a person who was more than qualified to examine where the message originated and evidently traced it back to someone within Microsoft. In the email, he wrote that he was developing his own instant messaging program and was following AOL_s efforts in blocking Microsoft users. He also stated in the message that he believed AOL is using a programming error that has created a security flaw to detect Microsoft users, and that it_s unfair of AOL to put user security at risk, according to the report.