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TechSpot
Oct 30 2010
Russian-Armenian botnet master made $140,000 a month
By Emil Protalinski, TechSpot.com
Published: October 29, 2010, 9:22 PM EST
Georg Avanesov amassed a tiny fortune, allegedly running a network of
hacked computers around the world, typically referred to as a botnet.
The computers were infected with Bredolab, malware responsible for
sending spam, conducting attacks on websites, and enabling other
cybercriminals to steal money from online bank accounts.
Dutch prosecutors believe that Avanesov made up to 100,000 ($138,950)
a month from renting and selling part of his botnet to other
cybercriminals for limited periods of time. They in turn used it to
send their own spam or mine the PCs for personal details and files.
It's possible the 27-year-old could have made millions in a career
spanning more than a decade, according to a source close to law
enforcement. Avanesov is now being held by Armenian authorities after
an undercover operation earlier this week by Dutch and Russian
authorities.
Avanesov was able to sell parts of the botnet off "because it was very
easy for him to extend the botnet again," by infecting more PCs, a
Public Prosecution Service in Rotterdam spokesperson told
ComputerWorld. He probably made more money in other ways. "We don't
have more financial information about what he did. Our investigation
was focused on dismantling the network then getting a hold of our main
suspect, but this criminal investigation hasn't stopped yet. We hope
to get a better picture of the money and his business relationships."
http://www.techspot.com/news/40932-russianarmenian-botnet-master-made-140000-a-month.html
From: A. Papazian
Oct 30 2010
Russian-Armenian botnet master made $140,000 a month
By Emil Protalinski, TechSpot.com
Published: October 29, 2010, 9:22 PM EST
Georg Avanesov amassed a tiny fortune, allegedly running a network of
hacked computers around the world, typically referred to as a botnet.
The computers were infected with Bredolab, malware responsible for
sending spam, conducting attacks on websites, and enabling other
cybercriminals to steal money from online bank accounts.
Dutch prosecutors believe that Avanesov made up to 100,000 ($138,950)
a month from renting and selling part of his botnet to other
cybercriminals for limited periods of time. They in turn used it to
send their own spam or mine the PCs for personal details and files.
It's possible the 27-year-old could have made millions in a career
spanning more than a decade, according to a source close to law
enforcement. Avanesov is now being held by Armenian authorities after
an undercover operation earlier this week by Dutch and Russian
authorities.
Avanesov was able to sell parts of the botnet off "because it was very
easy for him to extend the botnet again," by infecting more PCs, a
Public Prosecution Service in Rotterdam spokesperson told
ComputerWorld. He probably made more money in other ways. "We don't
have more financial information about what he did. Our investigation
was focused on dismantling the network then getting a hold of our main
suspect, but this criminal investigation hasn't stopped yet. We hope
to get a better picture of the money and his business relationships."
http://www.techspot.com/news/40932-russianarmenian-botnet-master-made-140000-a-month.html
From: A. Papazian