Microsoft offers $250,000 reward for botnet information

Microsoft decided to extend their efforts to establish the identity of those responsible for controlling the Rustock botnet by issuing a $250,000 reward for new information that results in the identification, arrest and criminal conviction of such individual(s).

Residents of any country are eligible for the reward pursuant to the laws of that country.

Richard Boscovich Senior Attorney, Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit comments: “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.”

The Rustock botnet was notorious because of a huge capacity of sending out 30 billion spam emails on a daily basis. Its developers were also responsible for other crimes such as including advertising for counterfeit or unapproved versions of pharmaceuticals as well as violating trademarks.

Although the Rustock botnet infection base has been cut in half in the short time since the takedown, there are still hundreds of thousands of infected computers around the world.

Information about the Rustock botnet should be provided directly to Microsoft by email to avreward@microsoft.com.

Microsoft reserves the exclusive right to review and evaluate the legitimacy of all leads submitted, and further reserves the right to provide such leads to United States law enforcement.