Researchers take down Koobface servers

13.11.2010

Almost exactly half of Koobface's income -- just over $1 million [m] -- came from the fake antivirus software. The other half came from online advertising fees.

Villeneuve doesn't identify the Koobface gang in the report, but he thinks that at least one of the members lives in St. Petersburg.

Interestingly, Koobface's operators could have caused more damage. They could have broken into online bank accounts, or stolen passwords or credit card numbers, but they didn't.

"The Koobface gang had a certain charm and ethical restraint," the report sates. "They communicated with security researchers about their intents and their desire not to do major harm. They limited their crimes to petty fraud, albeit massive in scale and scope. But the scary part is that they could have easily done otherwise."

They may not be so friendly with researchers from now on, however.