Security News > 2022 > November > Google wins lawsuit against alleged Russian botnet herders

Google sued Dmitry Starovikov and Alexander Filippov - along with 15 other John and Jane Does - in December 2021, saying in the original complaint [PDF] that the botnet "Is distinguished from conventional botnets in its technical sophistication: unlike other botnets, the Glupteba botnet leverages blockchain technology to protect itself from disruption."

Judge Cote said in her opinion and order [PDF] that the Defendants had "Attempted to negotiate a discovery plan in bad faith, requesting an exchange of electronic devices" - although they knew they could not provide the devices they said they had. According to the judge, the defendants and their lawyer told Google that pertinent discovery information was held by their former employer Valtron LLC,, a limited liability company based in Moscow.

In an order on June 9, the district judge went on to explain, the court found there was reason to believe that the defendants sought discovery only "To learn whether they could circumvent the steps that Google has taken to block the malware described in its complaint."

The parties held a call on September 8, at which Litvak explained that the Defendants would be willing to provide Google with the private keys for Bitcoin addresses associated with the Glupteba botnet, and that they would promise not to engage in their alleged criminal activity in the future.

According to the order, Google then rejected the Defendants' offer as extortionate, and reported it to law enforcement.

The defendants subsequently asked the court for sanctions "Against Google for threatening to make a criminal referral against them in order to obtain an advantage in a civil matter." Judge Cote denied this motion.

News URL

https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2022/11/17/google_botnet_default_judgment/