Three Spanish nationals ran a network of more than 13 million “zombie computers” that accessed the bank-account information of upwards of 800,000 people, authorities here said.
Zombie computers are virus-infected PCs hijacked by hackers to steal data, conduct illegal transactions or carry out coordinated attacks on institutional websites and servers.
The “Mariposa” network, which was dismantled by Spain’s Guardia Civil national police in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, penetrated the computer systems of 500 companies, including more than 40 major banks, Spanish cybercrime unit chief Juan Salom told a press conference in Madrid Wednesday.
The three suspects arrested Tuesday in Spain were released on bail pending trial.
Ranging in age from 25 to 31, the suspects apparently earned a comfortable living from renting out the zombie network to other computer pirates, Spanish authorities said.
They said the suspects, who adopted the online aliases “Netkario”, “OsTiaToR” and “Johnyloleante”, created the network with a software programme they bought on the black market.
Defence Intelligence, a private Canadian firm, detected the activity of the Mariposa network last May and alerted the FBI, which in turn notified the Guardia Civil that the illicit net appeared to be run from Spain.
The Guardia Civil then launched a probe that led eventually to “Netkario”.
Last December, the FBI, Guardia Civil and information-security companies joined in an operation to dismantle the illicit network.
Within days, however, the pirates regained control of some of the zombie computers and mounted a cyber-attack that crippled the servers of Defence Intelligence.
In light of the potential for greater harm, the Guardia Civil referred the case to Spain’s National Court, which ordered the arrest of the three suspects.
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