The server on which Microsoft makes its beta programs available for testing has been infiltrated by outsiders who have downloaded an unspecified cornucopia of programs. Among the items available are forthcoming editions of Win-XP, .NET Server, and some confidential works in progress.

The company doesn't know how many programs have been downloaded, but has hastened to point out that no source code was included in the haul.

The story was originally broken by TechTV on Monday. The intrusion was discovered 'some time last week,' according to MS spokespersons.

The issue came to light when beta testers were mass-mailed on Friday with instructions to change their Passport usernames and passwords. However, "at no point was Passport compromised by this, because it's a totally different system," MS security flack Rick Miller is quoted as saying.

Miller claims the issue leading to the compromise has been fixed, but would not give any indication of its nature, TechTV says.