Rustock: India No 1
By Sumir Singh

On March 16, 2011, Microsoft announced that the Microsoft Digital Crimes Unit, in cooperation with industry and academic experts, had successfully taken down the Win32 / Rustock botnet. At the time of the takedown, Rustock was estimated to have had approximately a million infected computers operating under its control and was sending billions of spam email messages every day.

The Spam messages included fake Microsoft lottery scams and offers for fake – and potentially dangerous – prescription drugs. Microsoft’s proactive and aggressive attack on this spam giant was hailed as a new benchmark in the fight against cyber criminals.

Today, Sept 23, 2011, Microsoft has released an update which details how India was the most infected country – in fact India had as many computers in the Rustock Botnet as the next 3 countries put together

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We are also turning over all of the evidence we collected during discovery and our investigation to the FBI, to help ensure those responsible for operating the Rustock botnet are held accountable for their actions. It is important to note that Microsoft ‘s $250,000 reward offer for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Rustock’s operators remains in effect, but now any tips should be sent directly to the FBI at MS_Referrals@ic.fbi.gov.

We are also continuing to work with Internet service providers (ISPs) and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTS) around the world to undo the damage Rustock has caused, and help people regain control of their computers. We already see great progress, with our estimates showing that as of Sept. 13th, the Rustock botnet has decreased in size by almost 75 percent since we took it down in March.
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