Success in anti-botnet operation
VB Seminar speaker describes how m00p gang member exploited computer users.
A Scottish man pleaded guilty last month to 'causing unauthorized modification to the content of computers' as part of his
involvement in the m00p hacking group.
The case was the culmination of a joint operation between the UK's Metropolitan Police and Finnish authorities who
were investigating the group which infected tens of thousands of machines worldwide by sending
malware attached to spam messages. Thirty-three-year-old Matthew Anderson's role was in distributing millions
of spam messages.
DC Bob Burls of the Police Central e-Crime Unit - who will be speaking about botnets and cybercrime at the
VB Seminar in London later this month - said: "This organised online criminal network infected huge numbers of
computers around the world, especially targeting UK businesses and
individuals. Matthew Anderson methodically exploited computer users
not only for his own financial gain but also violating their privacy.
They used sophisticated computer code to commit their crimes."
According to the Metropolitan Police, Anderson took control of the infected computers, on occasion activating
their webcams to spy on their owners. During the investigation, screen grabs were found on Anderson's computers
taken from webcams as well as copies of private documents including wills, medical reports, CVs, password lists
and private photographs.
Burls continued: "The internet means criminals have increased opportunities to commit
crime internationally, however I'd like to reassure the public that
the international law enforcement and anti-virus companies response is
increasingly sophisticated. As this case shows, criminals can't hide
online and are being held to account for their actions. A complex
investigation like this demonstrates what international cooperation
can achieve."
Anderson will be sentenced later this month.
DC Bob Burls will present 'Botnets - the cybercriminal's weapon of choice' at the VB Seminar, 25 November, London, UK.
Secure your place by booking online now. (Or download a PDF copy of the booking form
and fax the completed form to +44 (0)1865 543153.)
04 November 2010
Tags:
botnets, cybercrime, m00p, metropolitan police, vb, vb seminar.
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