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Microsoft Pursues Botnet Herders Via Newspaper Ads

Posted by samzenpus on from the trouble-makers-wanted dept.

itwbennett writes "Although it is extremely unlikely that anyone associated with Rustock will step forward, Microsoft has taken out ads in two Russian newspapers to notify unnamed defendants in the legal suit. The move is a legal formality required as part of Microsoft's ongoing lawsuit in the U.S. against operators of Rustock. The advertisements will run for 30 days in the Delovoy Petersburg newspaper, located in St. Petersburg, and in The Moscow News, a daily newspaper, wrote Richard Boscovich, a senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit."

19 of 28 comments (clear)

  1. Russia is really corrupt by iONiUM · · Score: 1

    So it's hard for me to take seriously the MS threat that it "may go through the Russian judiciary system (from TFA)".

    1. Re:Russia is really corrupt by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Well at least people already know the suspect.

    2. Re:Russia is really corrupt by Arancaytar · · Score: 2

      "Suspect sought job at Google"

      I can guess which of the two crimes pisses MS off more. :P

  2. Legally Required by mistiry · · Score: 1

    This was done because of the legal formalities required in this type of situation. It says it in TFS.

    Nothing to see here. Move along.

    1. Re:Legally Required by foma84 · · Score: 1

      Agreed.
      I fail to see what is interesting in this story.

    2. Re:Legally Required by rtb61 · · Score: 1

      Well is M$ doing this for publicity or are they serious. The reality is if they were really serious they would simply pay the bribes required to get things done. So the interesting part is how much effort is required to pursue criminals within Russia when they are committing crimes across international boundaries.

      Is it really acceptable that companies need to pursue these matters in such a circuitous manner or should more pressure be placed upon the country hosting the criminal enterprise to pursue a just resolution.

      --
      Chaos - everything, everywhere, everywhen
    3. Re:Legally Required by SockPuppetOfTheWeek · · Score: 2

      Neither. They are doing it only because they are legally obligated to at least make an attempt to notify the defendants that they're being sued.

      They need to attempt to notify the defendants because then the defendants are legally obligated to show up on the court date. If they don't show, they'll automatically lose the lawsuit.

  3. I Am Spartacus! by VortexCortex · · Score: 1

    I am Spartacus!

    No, I am Spartacus!

    No, he's not -- I am Spartacus!

    I am Spartacus!

    No, I am Spartacus!

    1. Re:I Am Spartacus! by Z_A_Commando · · Score: 2

      Because that turned out so well for all of them in the end.

    2. Re:I Am Spartacus! by antdude · · Score: 1

      No, I am Spartacus!

      --
      Ant(Dude) @ Quality Foraged Links (AQFL.net) & The Ant Farm (antfarm.ma.cx / antfarm.home.dhs.org).
  4. Sounds like a good way by Vinegar+Joe · · Score: 1

    To go on trip to the forest and get shot in the head.

    --
    "The average reporter we talk to is 27 years old......They literally know nothing." - Ben Rhodes
  5. In equally interesting news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    ...I stopped at a red traffic light on my way to work today.

    1. Re:In equally interesting news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I was sitting there, minding my own business, when suddenly a woman ran up to my car from across the opposite car lane, opened the passenger door and got in. She then...

    2. Re:In equally interesting news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      got scared and said you're moving in with your auntie and uncle in a town called bel air.

  6. Botnet herders?! by G3ckoG33k · · Score: 1

    Botnet herder? Bah! Here is a pike herder.

  7. Re:As malware makers do HELP WANTED job ads by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    They have bankers shot daily at Moscow. Mafia has ties to law enforcement, politicians and even el presidento (proof: Anna Politkovskaya, a journalist engaged in criticism of the government got shot by some gang in her apartment.... on Putin's birthday!)

    Do you think anyone will move a finger to go after sissy malware writers? Exception: if those crack-programmers hack many western bank accounts and get lots of ca$h, they will be nabbed either by either police or mafia, and forced to share the spoils, although I am sure all the right people get paid already.

  8. Go Microsoft! by lopaka1998 · · Score: 1

    GO Microsoft!

    I think this is the first time I can truly raise my head up high when I say I use Microsoft products.

  9. I suspected it all along ... by Anomalyst · · Score: 2

    Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit

    Ballmer has assigned an entire task force to commit crimes, why does that not come as a surprise?

    --
    There is no right to feel safe thru security vaudeville at the expense of everyone's freedom, privacy and tax money.
    1. Re:I suspected it all along ... by Skapare · · Score: 2

      Why do I envision an army of soldiers, all tightly aligned in square formation, wielding chairs?

      --
      now we need to go OSS in diesel cars