'Publicity is the best way of killing off rogue websites'

Tuesday, 15 Jan 2008. Categories: USA

Publicising websites which distribute spyware and other malware in the mainstream media is the most effective way of reducing the threat they pose, it has been claimed.

A new report from Shadowserver Foundation recommends that arming the public with information about sites which pose a risk has proved successful in some recent cases.

In particular it highlights the disappearance of the Russian Business Network (RBN), which is described by PC World as a "major crimeware hub" and which was effectively hounded out of existence following high-profile newspaper articles.

The report said: "On reflection it is disconcerting that it seems to have taken the visibility from the Washington Post and Wired articles to bring the necessary pressure to bear on this network to affect its disappearance."

"While public movement against the network took considerably longer than it should have in our opinion, it is worth noting that around late August the temperament of researchers toward publicly outing known rogue networks seemed to significantly warm. And, from a distance, this tactic seems to have been overall very effective."

Masquerading as a legitimate business, the RBN was hosting a number of malware activities including Trojans, spam and child porn distribution.

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'Publicity is the best way of killing off rogue websites'

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