Dutch security researchers talk Pobelka botnet

Another day, another botnet. Or is it?
 
Earlier today, Webroot Threat Blog champion and malware hunter Dancho Danchev posted a story on ZDNet about Pobelka, a botnet that targeted primarily Dutch and German users via the 'botnet master' using underground traffic exchange networks.
 
The attacker using the handle "Finist", originally started the campaigns relying on a server-based attack kit know as the "bentpanel, where he even left his email address within the command and control interface in order to receive notifications for the successfully stolen account/bank credentials. He then started using the Black Hole Exploit Kit in an attempt to convert all the Dutch and German traffic he was buying, into crimeware-infected hosts, by dropping SpyEye and Citadel variants on the affected hosts."
 
Dancho goes on to say that this botnet is a great example of how the cybercrime system works and is of the type that rarely makes the news. Click the aforementioned link for the full story. It's a fascinating read. Oh, and as always, make sure your computers are protected with great internet security!