Microsoft has been diligently pursing the Rustock botnet and earlier this year they took down the Rustock botnet which was responsible for as many as 30 billion spam messages per day. It was yet another victory for Microsoft and one that was later followed by the takedown of Coreflood too.
Microsoft is now upping the game as it pursues those who were involved with the botnet. After previously placing two notices in two Russian newspapers, Microsoft is now offering “$250,000 for new information that results in the identification, arrest and criminal conviction of such individual(s).”
Microsoft is offering the reward because the Rustock botnet has been responsible for several crimes and any information regarding the Rustock botnet will lead to the apprehension of the individuals behind it. Microsoft states:
This reward offer stems from Microsoft’s recognition that the Rustock botnet is responsible for a number of criminal activities and serves to underscore our commitment to tracking down those behind it. While the primary goal for our legal and technical operation has been to stop and disrupt the threat that Rustock has posed for everyone affected by it, we also believe the Rustock bot-herders should be held accountable for their actions.
This refined initiative with monetary compensation shows Microsoft’s commitment to not just taking down the botnet, but apprehending the individuals running it and removing them from the Internet ecosystem.
If you do have any information, Microsoft wants to hear from you. You can begin the contact process by visiting Microsoft’s blog posting or by emailing avreward@microsoft.com.