FBI charges 23-year old Russian in Mega-D spambot investigation

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If you recall, last year it was revealed that up to 35 percent of the world’s spam could spring from one source: a bot known as Mega-D. According to FBI files acquired by The Smoking Gun , the bot infected over half a million computers and could sent ten billion pieces of spam per day. According to the files, an ongoing investigation targets a 23-year old Russian man named Oleg Nikolaenko, who is suspected of violating the anti-spam law. Two people have previously been charged with felony conspiracy for the spam assault — which sold fake Rolexes and herbal stimulants — both of whom seemingly pointed the finger at Nikolaenko as the actual transmitter. The Mega-D bot was shut down last year by FireEye network security after identifying it a a mega-source of spam. While it’s back up and running today, it is only a shadow of its former self. Nikolaenko appeared in federal court in Wisconsin on Friday, was formally charged and entered a ‘not guilty’ plea. [Image credit: M86 Security Labs ] FBI charges 23-year old Russian in Mega-D spambot investigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Dec 2010 10:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

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