The FBI has detained a computer expert who found a way to stop an outbreak of the “WannaCry” ransomware computer virus in May that had affected computers of key public services and businesses across the world.
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Briton Marcus Hutchins:
- The 23-year-old Briton Marcus Hutchins, who runs a security blog called MalwareTech, was arrested late Wednesday in Las Vegas.
- For “his role in creating and distributing the Kronos banking trojan virus”, a Department of Justice spokesman said on Thursday.
- The charges relate to alleged conduct occurring between July 2014 and July 2015, reports CNN.
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According to an indictment:
- According to an indictment, Hutchins created the malware and shared it online.
- The Eastern District of Wisconsin returned a six-count indictment against Hutchins on July 12.
- In addition,it was unsealed at the time of his arrest.
- The trojan virus stole credentials and personal information and put malicious code on victims’ computers.
- Furthermore,Hutchins became an internet hero when he helped stop WannaCry, CNN reported.
- The ransomware locked down computers and demanded $300 to get files back.
- Hundreds of thousands of computers were infected with the malware.
- The damage forced some hospitals in the UK to turn patients away, and crippled businesses worldwide.
- Hutchins, who is also malware researcher at the Kryptos Logic security firm, created a killswitch that prevented the spread of the virus.
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