Information Security News: Hacker arrested for manipulating 100,000 computers

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-03/25/content_2743999.htm

[Seems a little high...  - WK]

GUILIN, March 25 (Xinhuanet) -- A man who hacked into 100,000
computers to launch group attacks has been arrested in Tangshan, north
China's Hebei Province, according to the Ministry of Public Security
Friday.
    
The ministry's Public Information and Internet Security Supervision
Bureau determined that many attacks came from a large group of
computers embedded with virus programs. These computers were
maneuvered by one hacker via several servers both at home andabroad.
    
More than 60,000 of the 100,000 computers were within China, and some
of them were owned by government departments and other important
sectors, said an official with the bureau.
    
They formed a so-called "corpse network," an attack tool popular among
Internet hackers, which can prevent other computers from regular
Internet service or send out mass junk e-mails on thehacker's orders,
the official said.
    
A hacker could also steal and use users' information stored in the
computers, the official said, but didn't disclose the name of the
arrested suspect.
    
The number of crimes taking advantage of network technologies is
climbing in China. Online pornography, gambling and fraud are focal
points in the country's extensive crackdowns.
    
The official pointed out that China should speed up legislationon
Internet crimes, including enacting laws to standardize identification
of network data, evidence collection and investigation. Enditem



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