FBI: Botnet Mastermind Nabbed

Slovenian accused of creating Mariposa malware
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 28, 2010 4:25 AM CDT
Updated Jul 28, 2010 4:45 AM CDT
FBI: Botnet Mastermind Nabbed
Researchers say the malware created by Iserdo has spread to over 190 countries.   (Shutter Stock)

A hacker responsible for hijacking more than 10 million computers around the world has been arrested in Slovenia after a major international investigation, the FBI says. The 23-year-old hacker, known as "Iserdo," is accused of masterminding a scam in which the Mariposa "botnet" network infected computers belonging to dozens of banks and more than half the Fortune 1,000 companies, the AP reports.

Investigators say Iserdo sold the malware to hackers, who sometimes paid extra to have it customized. "To use an analogy here," an official in the FBI's cyber division says, "as opposed to arresting the guy who broke into your home, we've arrested the guy that gave him the crowbar, the map, and the best houses in the neighborhood. And that is a huge break in the investigation of cyber crimes." (More Iserdo stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X