FBI has arrested 23-year-old British malware security expert Marcus Hutchins who discovered “kill switch” that stopped further spreading of WannaCry attack
The FBI has arrested the 23-year-old British malware security expert Marcus Hutchins, who discovered “kill switch” that stopped the further spreading of WannaCry ransomware attack. According to the indictment released by US authorities, Hutchins is accused of creating, spreading and selling Kronos malware, a banking trojan on internet forums between 2014 and 2015.Hutchins is also accused of six counts of hacking related crimes because of his involvement in creating Kronos.The malware was spread through emails with malicious files as attachments and stole user's banking credentialsIn the indictment, it is also mentioned that Hutchins advertised the malware on sale in AlphaBay, Dark web marketplace and sold it after two months.Hutchins was arrested after attending the DEFCON hacking conference in Las Vegas and was held at the Henderson Detention Centre. Afterward was transferred to another facility.The indictment below shows the charges against him.
According to reports, he was arrested when he was just about to board his flight to U.K and location where the feds took him is still unknown.One of his friends Andrew Mabbitt, founder of Fidus Information Security has confirmed the arrest, and he is trying to arrange a lawyer for Hutchins.He also mentioned that he refused to believe the charges against Hutchins and he is held at FBI field office in Las Vegas.
Janet Hutchins, the mother of Marcus Hutchins, told the press that she does not believe that her son was involved in this incident and she is trying to reach her son. A public defender mentioned that Hutchins has no criminal background or history and has always cooperated with the law and enforcement authorities.Hutchins asked more time to hire a private attorney and asserted his fifth amendment right to remain silent and was detained until next hearing which is on Friday by the court according to court appointed an attorney for Hutchins.
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