Virus writers flog infected IP addresses to spammers

GERMAN MAG c't said it has evidence to suggest that virus writers are selling the addresses of computers infected with trojans to spammers.

The magazine says it managed to track down the authors of a computer virus named Randex and buy the IP addresses of infected machines. And, since one of the virus distributors was found in the UK, c't grassed the scoundrel up to Scotland Yard. Arrests follow, they say.

Using the addresses, spammers can illegally distribute commercial e-mail messages without the knowledge of their owners. And the virus writers can use an network of trojans to launch distributed DoS attacks on selected victims.

An officer from the Yard told the magazine: "We fear that this is just the beginning. In the case in question, the authors and distributors of the viruses already no longer do their work just for fun or ego. The scene is becoming more professional and has recognised how much money can easily be gained illicitly this way."

An English version of the c't story can be found here. µ