Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Teen Pleads Guilty in Botnet Adware Scheme

Used IRCBots to profit off of online advertising contracts

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2008 1:28 PM CST
Email

(Newser) – A teenager referred to by the FBI as BDH and known online as “Sobe” pleaded guilty to two counts of juvenile fraud conspiracy for a scheme that used botnets to install adware on hundreds of thousands of American computers, including some military systems. He will be sentenced May 5, and will receive between 1 year and 18 months in prison under a plea bargain, Computerworld reports.

Sobe, and his 21-year-old accomplice, obtained legitimate contracts from online advertising companies to install adware, rewriting the code so installation wouldn’t require the user’s consent. They then used botnets to “enslave” thousands of PCs at a time, and directed the slave computers to servers containing their modified adware—after which they sought financial recompense from the online advertisers. The scheme netted $107,000.

Before being arrested, court documents reveal the pair had conversations expressing skepticism that it was unlikely that feds [would] bust in someones (sic) door for irc bots etc. lol, or other potential repercussions.
Before being arrested, court documents reveal the pair had conversations expressing skepticism that it was unlikely that "feds [would] bust in someones (sic) door for irc bots etc. lol," or other potential...   (Shutterstock.com)
The teenager identified only as B.D.H. by U.S. law enforcement officials, is allegedly a well-known juvenile member of a group of botnet users.
The teenager identified only as "B.D.H." by U.S. law enforcement officials, is allegedly a "well-known juvenile member" of a group of botnet users.   (Shutterstock.com)
The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is shown at the FBI Headquarters July 26, 2006 in Washington, DC.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation seal is shown at the FBI Headquarters July 26, 2006 in Washington, DC.   (FBI)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Botnets pushing Valentine's day virus cards
Fox News

 
FBI • online advertising • hacking • Internet fraud • adware • botnets

More Newser Stories

Anonymous Taps FBI Call

FBI Probes Massive Hacker Theft at Citi

Google Issues Disclaimer Over Racist Michelle Image

New England Killer Finds Victims on Craigslist

Phony Ad Clicks at Record High
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne