Microsoft’s approach shell how much effective when the activities of innocent computer users could be inadvertently disrupted.
Botnets are armies of infected computers that send spam or malware.
Microsoft’s request granted by a federal judge in Alexandria for deactivate hundreds of Internet addresses which linked to tens of thousands of PCs around the globe & allow them to spread spam, malicious virus programs and mass attacks to disable Web sites.
“We aim to be more proactive in going after botnets to help protect the internet,” said Richard Boscovich, the head of Microsoft’s digital crime unit.
“Any action against botnets is a good thing,” agrees Qualys CTO Wolfgang Kandek.
Google Inc. disclose attacks against the Internet giant and other major U.S. companies that linked to China in a high-profile incident while Chinese officials refuse their involvement.
Randy Abrams, director of technical education says, “This is wonderful! This causes more work for the gang which means it costs them more to commit their crimes.”
He also pointed out, “The real measurement is not how much spam this reduces, but rather if this type of action becomes another tool to combat the problem. The more approaches that can effectively be used, the better the war can be fought. This may well be a step toward an effective blended attack against botnets.”
“There are no botnet nukes. Fundamentally such a weapon would have unacceptable collateral damage. This is a battle that will require an extensive arsenal of conventional weapons and innovative strategies. Trial and error will be part of the process. Court orders and domain take downs are essential weapons to have in the arsenal,” concludes Abrams.
“We have a high degree of confidence this will be major blow to this botnet,” said Richard Boscovich, a senior attorney in Microsoft’s digital crimes unit and a former federal prosecutor.
security software firm Symantec Corp. says that more than 83% of unsolicited emails generated from botnets.