Operation: Bot Roast
Operation: Bot Roast is an operation by the FBI to track down bot herders or hackers who install malicious software on computers through the Internet without the owners’ knowledge, which turns the computer into a zombie computer that then sends out spam to other computers from the compromised zombie computer, making a botnet or network of bot infected computers. The operation was launched because the vast size of the botnet poses a threat to national security.[1]
The results
The operation was created to disrupt and disassemble bot herders. The FBI has identified about 1 million computers that were compromised, and to arrest the persons responsible for creating the malware, and notify the owners of infected computers.[2]
Some early results of the operation include the charging:
- Robert Alan Soloway of Seattle, Washington, is accused of using botnets to send tens of millions of spam messages touting his website.[1]
- James C. Brewer of Arlington, Texas, is accused of infecting tens of thousands of computers worldwide, including some at Chicago-area hospitals.[1]
- Jason Michael Downey of Covington, Kentucky, is charged with using botnets to disable other systems.[1]
- Akbot author "AKILL" (Owen Thor Walker) of New Zealand, convicted on various charges in April 2008[3] [4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d "OPERATION: BOT ROAST 'Bot-herders' Charged as Part of Initiative" (Press release). Federal Bureau of Investigations. 2007-06-13. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
- ^ "FBI tries to fight zombie hordes" (Press release). BBC News. 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2007-06-20.
- ^ <http://garwarner.blogspot.com/2008/04/akill-convicted-are-we-safer-now.html "AKILL Convicted - Are we safer now?">
- ^ <http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/news/A4C8AD60A514BC88CC25741D007C894A Akill pleads guilty to all charges>
External links
- OnGuardOnline.gov - Botnets and Hackers and Spam (Oh, My!) OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on guard against Internet fraud, secure your computer, and protect your personal information.
- United States Computer Emergency Readiness Team ST06-001-Understanding Hidden Threats: Rootkits and Botnets
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