The secret service also helps Apple, Sun and Red Hat.
The secret and feared the U.S. security body the National Security Agency (NSA) helped Microsoft to make Windows 7 more secure from attack.
Apple, Sun Microsystems and Red Hat have received similar assistance to their respective operating systems.
It came up when the security services Tuesday this week, visited the Senate's subcommittee on terrorism and domestic security, writes The Register.
The information came in the form of a finished manuscript (PDF), as NSA information security manager Richard Schaeffer read out during a hearing.
- NSA has used its unique expertise and operational knowledge of system threats and vulnerabilities to improve security in Windows. This is done in collaboration with Microsoft and parts of [the committee], "said Schaeffer.
Win-win
The reason for cooperation is that the current national security systems is highly dependent on commercial products and infrastructure, or communicate with such systems, "the statement said.
According to Schaeffer, it is increasingly necessary to have a collaboration between public and private organizations to improve information security products and services.
- This is a win-win situation for all IT users, if it is done properly, "he said.
Not the first time
Microsoft has previously admitted to aid from the NSA to improve safety in older versions of Windows.
Software Giant has received assistance from the body both at the development of the XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003, according to a case, The Washington Post wrote two years ago.
Conspiracy theories
Ten years ago, aroused the attention when it was found a variable in Windows with the name _NSAKEY in a module that handles the encryption routines.
This provided water for the mill of conspiracy theorists, who claimed it was proof that the security organ had built a backdoor into the operating system.
This was quickly denied by Microsoft.
