FBI Shuts Down Botnet Network Used by Hackers

The majority of the population has no idea what the term "botnet" means, but just because you don't know what it is, doesn't mean that you aren't part of one.

Everyday, thousands of people download programs, open up e-mail attachments, or simply have the computers hacked, through virii, worms, and exploits. Once a hacker has control of a system what does he do with it?

Well, many hackers use your computer, along with all the others they have compromised, to create a botnet, or network of remote-controlled computers which can be used to crash other computers, send spam, and steal personal information.

Once a hacker has created a botnet, which sometimes consists of over a million computers, it can be almost impossible for government agencies to track down all of the computers involved.

The FBI caught a break this week when James C. Brewer, of Arlington, Texas, was charged with running a botnet which froze computers in Chicago area hospitals back in 2006.

The bust was part of the FBI's "Operation Bot Roast" sting, which has been successful in bringing down the following botnets:

James C. Brewer, of Arlington, Texas - The botnet contained more than 10,000 computers and slowed medical treatment to hundreds of patients. He was released on a $4,500 bond.

Robert Alan Soloway, of Seattle - Arrested last month and known as the "King of Spam," Soloway used botnets to send out millions upon millions of junk e-mails between 2003 and 2007. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges in a 35-count indictment. Soloway lost a $5 million civil lawsuit in 2005 against Microsoft, who accused him of spamming.

Jason Michael Downey, of Covington, Kentucky - Was accused last month of sending spam to a botnet, which he controlled, for an eleven week period. It's estimated that he caused up to $20,000 in unspecified losses.

FBI Deputy Assistant Director Shawn Henry said computer users should have their PC's checked regularly in case they have been compromised. Anti-virus software, firewalls, and spyware scans are a good place to start.