You are here: silicon.com > Software > Security Strategy

FBI set to make Blaster virus arrest

Unnamed teenager due to feel long arm of the law today…

By Staff

Published: 29 August 2003 08:34 BST

Agents from the US Federal Bureau of Investigation are close to arresting a teenager whom they suspect of writing the Blaster virus.

According to a report from the Associated Press, the 18-year-old, whose name and hometown have been withheld, will be arrested later today. The FBI official spoke anonymously to AP.

The FBI had earlier said it was "confident" that it will capture those who are responsible for creating and spreading the MSBlast worm and the Sobig.F virus.

Companies and home computer users have had to deal with the MSBlast worm - also known as W32/Blaster and W32.Lovsan - which started spreading 11 August; a worm that attempted to plug the hole exploited by the MSBlast worm; and the Sobig.F virus, which spread through email attachments opened by unsuspecting people.

The FBI subpoenaed Arizona internet service provider Easynews.com a week ago, looking for more information about a person who posted the Sobig.F virus to several porn newsgroups.

Staff CNET Asia

Add comment

Print story

Email story

RSS

MSBlast still spreading and variant appears

MSBlast worm takes down major bank

Another MSBlast variant appears

Microsoft stumps up $250,000 virus bounty

SCO puts $250,000 bounty on MyDoom virus writer's head

In silicon.com

Commentary

Martin Brampton Brampton Factor: Open source stands up for its rights Copyright can keep the movement alive...

Bob Tarzey The rise and rise of Infor Quocirca's Straight Talking: Where next for the apps giant?

Latest News

IBM blade slashes security threat

UK crime fighters grapple with iPhone wipe threat

Microsoft criticises Google over privacy

Warning over wi-fi 'piggybackers'

Liverpool midwives cull paper with 3G laptops

One million bank customers' details sold on eBay

Jobs

Project Manager Role within a Tier One Investment Bank

A Tier One Investment Bank have opened a new position within their Prime Brokerage and Securities Space in order to capitalise on a huge growth area ...

Analyst required to join leading financial company...

A fantastic opportunity to get into banking has opened up for you A highly successful Financial company based in the Docklands, is creating a new ...

IT Systems Manager - Newtown - 40k - 50k

My client would expect the candidate to have practical, relevant skills and experience in the following areas: - Windows based servers (Windows 2003 ...

Special Report Focus

CIO50 2008
The silicon.com CIO50 2008 profiles the most influential and innovative tech chiefs in the UK across all industries and organisation size, from the biggest FTSE100 companies to high growth dot-com start ups and the public sector. The list was voted on by the UK CIO community and a panel of experts. Find out more in our latest special report.