Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (AHN) - Just weeks before the expected initial launch of Microsoft's new operating system, Windows Vista, the computer giant calls of conference with hackers in Malaysia. Microsoft has titled the event "Hack in the Box." The conference is not, however, intended to be confrontational, rather, a team of Microsoft experts traveled to Malaysia to forge relationships and gather advice on security matters. "We come to conferences like Hack in the Box to engage with the security researcher community, to deepen our existing relationships, to understand new technologies, tools and methodologies, and ultimately to help us make our products more secure and to keep our customers safer," said Microsoft's Security Program Manager Sarah Blankinship. Hackers and security professionals gather at Hack in the Box to discuss the launching of Vista with a team of Microsoft experts. Vista is the first new operating system that Microsoft has launched since Windows XP six years ago, which turned out to be a security nightmare for the company. One of the main priorities at the conference is the discussion of any apparent flaws in Vista security. Some critics warn that Microsoft is attempting to corner the security market for PCs. John Viega of McAffee, a competitive provider of anti-virus technology, said, "With Vista, there new operating system, they're trying to keep vendors off by putting security technologies on that ensure that they have control over who can offer protection and who can't." What remains to be known is how securely the bonds that Microsoft attempts to forge with hackers will hold.