Andre Yoskowitz
18 Jul 2011 23:27
In March, Microsoft and federal law enforcement jointly took down the spam giant Rustock botnet, seizing computers, servers, and other equipment from hosting providers in Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Kansas City, Seattle, Scranton, Pa., and Columbus.
The devices were "command-and-control" machines, from where operators of the botnet controlled over one million infected PCs, globally.
Microsoft, at the time, called the seizures a "decapitation" of the botnet, which was sending out as many as 30 billion spam emails every day.
The software giant is now offering "$250,000 for new information that results in the identification, arrest and criminal conviction of such individual(s)," meaning anyone involved with the botnet.
Says the company:
This reward offer stems from Microsoft’s recognition that the Rustock botnet is responsible for a number of criminal activities and serves to underscore our commitment to tracking down those behind it. While the primary goal for our legal and technical operation has been to stop and disrupt the threat that Rustock has posed for everyone affected by it, we also believe the Rustock bot-herders should be held accountable for their actions.