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FTC Shuts Down ISP Linked to Child Porn

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 5, 2009 12:46 PM CDT

(Newser) – The FTC has taken the rare step of shutting down an Internet Service Provider that it says was a haven for child pornography and malware run by Eastern European criminals, MSNBC reports. The case gives "a rare glimpse into the seediest parts of the web," writes Bob Sullivan. Authorities found 700 reports of child porn hosted on the servers of 3FN.net, an ISP ostensibly based in Oregon. The FTC believe it is actually controlled from Ukraine and Estonia.

It’s the first time the FTC has ever shut down an ISP, but “these were unique circumstances,” a staff attorney said. Among the sites on 3FN’s servers were some advertising "illegal photos of little girls." The child porn sites would often contain viruses; hackers commandeered hundreds of thousands of computers through 3FN, using them in click fraud schemes. 3FN sites also allegedly sold illegal drugs and pirated music.

Loaded with child porn and malware, authorities say 3FN.net represented the worst of the internet.
Loaded with child porn and malware, authorities say 3FN.net represented the worst of the internet.   (Shutterstock)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Liebowitz speaks at the Treasury Department in Washington, Monday, April 6, 2009.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chairman Jon Liebowitz speaks at the Treasury Department in Washington, Monday, April 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Robert_Dada
Jun 5, 2009 9:25 AM CDT
Absolutely
myvoice
Jun 5, 2009 7:43 AM CDT
regardless of all our opinions as varied as they are here on newser, im glad to see that we all think this is disgusting and illegal behavior should not only be shut down but be held accountable as keybored stated. And there are no sick jokes about this. YOU DONT DO THIS WTH CHILDREN and these people deserve NO mercy! My god these people have to be sick the head, right? WTF!
paul123
Jun 5, 2009 6:11 AM CDT
Good for them. I hope they shut down all child porn sites.

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