PCWorld 10/11/2007
Website: http://www.pcworld.com
A hacker has pleaded guilty to infecting hundreds of thousands of computers with malware in order to steal money from Paypal accounts. He could spend 60 years in prison and face a US$1.75 million fine.
John Schiefer, 26, admitted that he and some associates developed malware that allowed them to create botnet armies of as many as 250,000 computers. Schiefer was able to collect information sent from the infected computers, including usernames and passwords for Paypal accounts. He and his associates were then able to make purchases using the Paypal accounts. They also shared the password information with others.
This is the first prosecution of a hacker for this type of activity, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California. The Federal Bureau of Investigation pursued the case.
Schiefer says he also found Paypal usernames and passwords using malware that could access usernames filed in a secure storage area on the computers. The malware would send that information to Schiefer, who used it to access the accounts.
Schiefer also acknowledged fraudulently earning more than $19,000 from a Dutch Internet advertising agency that hired him as a consultant. He was supposed to install the company's programs on computers after receiving consent from computer owners. Instead, he and his associates installed it on 150,000 computers that were infected with his malware.
Schiefer is scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Nov. 28 and be arraigned on Dec. 3.
3 comments:
Share some exciting news with everyone.
I would like to share some exciting news with everyone. I recently discovered Search-and-destroy Antispyware (http://www.Search-and-destroy.com) and it’s the best scanner that I’ve used so far. It picks the same type of bugs that the better known and more expensive scans do and it’s so easy to get. The antispyware solution from Search-and-destroy is the perfect solution for taking care of your computer. I know it’s made a difference for me and I’m so glad that I gave it a try. I really believe that you will benefit from this scan as much as I have and I recommend that you give it a try.
Excellent article, it’s pleasure to read your blog ?
http://www.pc-safe.net/
I found your post is very informative. The article is professionally written and I feel like the author knows the subject very well.Keep it that way.
http://www.pcasalvo.com/
Post a Comment