Zbot virus fraud arrests
Two people have been arrested after it was found that they may be the culprits behind the ZueS (Zbot) Trojan that is able to get past security checkpoints to access online bank details, credit card numbers, and passwords.
The two people are charged with allegedly using the virus to infect approximately 10,000 computers and steal over a million pounds from personal details from unsuspecting computer users.
The virus is also able to copy social networking site passwords while attacking computer so that it can forward the data onto servers that were controlled by the hackers.
Zbot has emerged in several different formats including a Facebook page that told users they needed a software download that allowed the virus to attack computers. The information gathered is worth millions since it can be used by the hackers or sold to organized criminals at a high price.
According to police, the virus was a global internet threat.
At the beginning of the month a man and woman both ages 20 were arrested in Manchester although the information about the investigation has just now become public. Both are Britons and lived at the same address.
Head of the Unit Detective Superintendent Charlie McMurdie said that the man and woman are the first two people to be arrested in Europe in connection with the Zbot virus.
He continued to say that the scam is known internationally as a malicious virus and piece of malware that has been used to attack 10,000 worldwide computers and possibly more.
