Microsoft, Financial Services, The FBI And Others Begin War Against Citadel Botnet, A Global Cybercrime Operation Responsible For Over Half A Billion Dollars In Financial Fraud

Posted on Jun 6 2013 - 12:36pm by Editorial Staff

Microsoft

Microsoft and the Federal Bureau of Investigation – along with the Financial Services leader – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (FS-ISAC), NACHA – The Electronic Payments Association, the American Bankers Association (ABA) – Agari, and other technology industry partners has commenced war against Citadel, a global botnet that may have responsible for global cybercrime operations for over half a billion dollars (USD) in financial fraud.

The operation targeted the total of 1,462 extant Citadel botnets and the millions of infected computers under the control. Microsoft along with US Marshals on June 5 has seized data and evidence from the botnets, including computer servers from two data hosting facilities in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The company also provided information about the botnets’ operators to CERTs – the International Computer Emergency Response Team.

“Today’s actions represent the future of addressing the significant risks posed to our citizens, businesses, and intellectual property by cyber threats and malicious software, which are often enabled by counterfeit and unlicensed software,” said FBI Executive Assistant Director Richard McFeely.

“Creating successful public-private relationships—in which tools, knowledge, and intelligence are shared—is the ultimate key to success in addressing cyber threats and is among the highest priorities of the FBI. We must ensure that, as cyber policy is developed, the ability of the private sector to coordinate in real time with the FBI is encouraged so that a multi-prong attack on our cyber adversaries can be as effective as possible.”

Photo Credit: Robert Scoble via photopin cc

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