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Microsoft Reward Leads to Arrest of Sasser Suspect

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the thats-pretty-cool dept.

tritone writes "According to this article on CNET, it was a reward from Microsoft that led to the arrest of the perpertrator of the Sasser Windows Worm. This is the first success for Microsoft's Antivirus Award Program, a $5 million fund to reward people for coming forward with information about those who release major worms and viruses."

6 of 287 comments (clear)

  1. Microsoft Rewards by mr_z_beeblebrox · · Score: 5, Interesting

    While I do agree that they need to do better (not more) auditing of code, I also think it is admirable that they are taking responsibility for the damage in some way. Props to Microsoft.
    Suggestion, instead of suing security companies who find and point out vulnerabilities they should implement rewards there. For example, if xyz security found a vulnerability they could either
    A: release it to the news/public and risk MS ire
    or
    B: Submit it confidentially to the MS bug track for a hefty reward
    Yes, that lacks disclosure but it is a healthier system than now exists.

  2. Looking forward to the fallout... by John+Seminal · · Score: 4, Interesting
    The arrest could lead to more suspects.

    I wonder what kind of deals are being offered right now for him to turn in friends and information? I wonder what is on his computer? All it takes is one informant for the police to get warrents to search all his friends and known acquaintances computers, so I am thinking there will be a bigger fallout than just one guy. I just hope they don't let the big fish off the hook to get 10 smaller fish.

    I wonder if this will be the start of the dominos falling. He turns in his friends, who in return turn in their friends. Then next thing you know the FBI is knocking on your door asking to look at your computer. In some ways, I welcome that. It gets to be exhausting fixing computers from all the viruses and spyware and crap.

    I am just glad that with him in jail there will be more security. One less bad guy to worry about.

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  3. Re:Good by c · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I am glad the reward worked.

    Well, it maybe worked once. The people turning the guy in might have done it even if the reward wasn't available.

    Microsoft announced the reward program almost a year ago and that this is the first worm actually resulting in a claim suggests, in fact, that the reward program is mostly a failure.

    c.

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  4. I reakon it's a PR exercise. by Leonig+Mig · · Score: 3, Interesting

    i think this is utter tosh. microsoft tried to make out the blaster worm was coded by some 17 year old last time.

    they want us think 'oh all these viruses are caused by nieve kids with something to prove';

    which is less scary than the truth that worms are coded to order by people with maths degrees for criminal gangs who want to use your pc as a conduit for illegal material.

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  5. This could lead to another attack on Linux... by 3seas · · Score: 3, Interesting

    MS pays to bust Virus writters and FOSS can't afford such a reward system... so MS hires (under the table) virus writers to attack Linux...

    But FOSS doesn't pay me to turn in a virus writer.... so why should I...???

    greed..... its been a constant in teh computer industry... no doubt about it.

  6. I wonder if microsoft will actually up the $$$ by Coolmoe · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I wonder how many people will turn in thier friends, family etc.. for cash that they they may or may not get. Seems to me like microsoft will get a flood of calls from people that have friends and stuff that like programming. Whoes to say what they were programming. What about false accusations by the technically inept?

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