Data theft has become rampant in many countries all over the world. The United States alone has reported numerous attacks in the last couple of months. The cost of stolen data already amounts to millions. The time and money involved in resolving the attacks are also huge and are increasing as the gravity of damages also increases.
This week, the United States has again seen a data theft case, and the cost of stolen data in the country has amounted to US$10 million. According to a Sky News report, a thirty-year old Moldovan named Andrey Ghinkul has been charged on Tuesday with cases related to data theft. Charges have been levelled against the man responsible for the data theft, said US officials. Stolen data included bank codes.
The malware spread through the Bugat botnet, which came through the form of emails. Once the emails have been received by computers, botnet operators use them to initiate bank transfers of up to millions of dollars. Bank details are obtained in the process, making the transfers possible. The botnet is also known as Cridex or Dridex.
David Hickton of the US Department of Justice said in a statement regarding the matter, "Through a technical disruption and criminal indictment we have struck a blow to one of the most pernicious malware threats in the world." The malware has been gotten rid of through an effort done with Britain.
Washington is seeking Ghinkul's extradition. Ghinkul has been arrested in Aug. 28. The UK National Crime Agency estimated that the Bugat botnet, which has been around for years, caused US businesses to lose about US$30 million because of bank transfers done through the hack. ZDNet has reported that the botnet also operates through web injects and sub botnets in about twenty-seven other countries in the world, including China, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand.
