Zotob and Mytob Worm Authors Arrested

An anonymous reader writes "The Washingtonpost.com is reporting that two men have been arrested for allegedly authoring and releasing the "Zotob" and "Mytob" worms. The first Zotob, released Aug 14 - just 4 days after Microsoft released a fix for the hole it exploited, infected systems at many major news outlets. Mytob remains one of the most pervasive worms on the 'Net today." From the article: "Moroccan authorities, working with the FBI, arrested Farid Essebar, 18, a Moroccan national born in Russia who went by the screen moniker 'Diabl0.' Arrested in Turkey was Atilla Ekici, aka 'Coder,' age 21. Both individuals will be subject to local prosecutions, the FBI said." Update: 08/26 20:56 GMT by Z : Nana Mous wrote to mention an eWeek blow by blow account of Microsoft's response to the worm. Very interesting read.

Comments

Informative link:

[TripMaster Monkey]

In the interest of stimulating more informed discussion, here is a link to a press release from Microsoft commending the Turkish and Moroccan authorities, as well as the FBI, for their prompt arrest of the suspects.

Microsoft Assisted the Worm Investigation

[newsblaze]

Microsoft Assisted Worm Investigation Microsoft's Internet Crime Investigations Team supported the investigation with law enforcement immediately following the release of the two worms. Microsoft provided technical information and analytical support to the FBI on this case, which was then shared with Moroccan and Turkish authorities.

Re:Quick question.

[Anonymous Coward]

from TFA they tried to run a bankcard scam with info they obtained from compromised machines.

Re:FBI has become a world-wide police force.

[mellonhead]

It is interesting that the U.S. government's FBI agency has become a world-wide police force.

The FBI has Legal Attaché Offices in approximately 50 countries world-wide.

http://www.fbi.gov/contact/legat/legat.htm

Uhhh, what gave you that idea?

[Sycraft-fu]

#1, most countries have laws against hacking/viruses/etc. Hence the reason they are being prosecuted locally. They broke a law in their country so it'll be handled there. However #2, law enforcement around the globe cooperates. We don't want criminals to be able to escape prosecution simply be conducting crimes across national lines, or fleeing to another country.

So, what probably happened here is what happens all the time, the FBI had evidence that one of the authors was Moroccan so they got a hold of Moroccan police and gave them the information they had. Moroccan police investigated and have now arrested a suspect.

I fail to see the problem here.

Re:Morocco and Turkey, eh?

[cpghost]

Turkey and Morocco are amongst America's most trusted allies. Turkey is member of NATO, and Morocco was granted by the US the status of most important ally outside NATO, and we have a free trade agreement with Morocco as well.

Oh, and btw., America's oldest friendship treaty (non broken) with a foreign nation was with... right: Morocco. Signed on our side by Thomas Jefferson himself.