The gang is believed to have run a zombie network (also known as a botnet) of up to one million computers, spanning 100 countries around the globe. Seven people were charged charged with illegally obtaining computer services, illegally possessing computer passwords, and hacking. Police confiscated computer equipment during the raids, and information found on the PCs may lead to more charges against other alleged gang members.
If found guilty, gang members could face up to 10 years behind bars, head of the computer crime squad Captain Frederick Gaudreau told the media, adding that hundreds of officers were involved in the investigation into the gang after complaints were made in the summer of 2006 from business and government computer users.
"The Canadian authorities should be applauded for investigating organized cybercrime, which is blighting computer users around the world," said Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant for Sophos. "Huge amounts of money can be made by hackers running zombie botnets: installing adware, renting out the network to launch blackmailing DDoS attacks against websites, or using them to steal identities or spew out spam campaigns. Running an illegal botnet is a serious crime, and those found guilty must be punished appropriately."
It was reported recently that an American teenager had pleaded guilty to running a botnet of computers that included US military computers.
"All computers need high levels of security to ensure they do not become a part of a criminal botnet," explain Cluley. "Too many PCs are being poorly defended from what is a growing threat."
