Security News > 2024 > April > Moldovan charged for operating botnet used to push ransomware
The U.S. Justice Department charged Moldovan national Alexander Lefterov, the owner and operator of a large-scale botnet that infected thousands of computers across the United States.
Infected computers could also be accessed directly using a hidden virtual network computing server without the owners' knowledge.
"To further monetize the scheme, Lefterov allegedly leased the botnet to other co-conspirators by providing them access to infected computers as well as to the victims' stolen credentials," according to the Justice Department.
"Lefterov and his co-conspirators also provided access to the botnet for the purpose of distributing malware, including ransomware, to infected computers within the botnet."
Lefterov allegedly received a percentage of the profits from the unnamed botnet he owned and operated.
The penalties for computer fraud, unauthorized access to a protected computer, wire fraud, intentional damage to a protected computer, and aggravated identity theft charges vary from 2 to 10 years in prison, depending on the offense.