Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has swung into action and started disabling one of the world's largest botnets, Trickbot, accused of sending malware and ransomware worldwide. The software giant obtained a court order to carry out the operation in partnership with an international industry and telecommunication provider.
Fighting Trickbot
A push to disable Trickbot is part of Microsoft push of thwarting criminal hackers believed to be planning to interfere with the upcoming U.S presidential elections. The tech giant is planning to disrupt hacker’s ability to operate while using the botnet.
The botnet is the work of Russian speaking criminals that have launched ransomware attacks in the recent past. In addition to controlling computers remotely, the botnet can also be used to steal financial information and personal data as well as drop other malicious software and infected systems.
Given the threat that the botnet poses, the U.S military is already involved in trying to dismantle it. The military, under the U.S Cyber Command, has already mounted an operation to disrupt Trickbot. So far, its effort has successfully hijacked command control servers to send updates to infected computers.
Trickbot Threat
While the U.S is trying to ensure the bot does not interfere with the upcoming elections' integrity, it is also trying to ensure the network does not continue to ensnare state and local governments, among other institutions. The Cyber Command efforts are not expected to dismantle Trickbot permanently. However, they should go a long way in preventing criminals from restoring operations.
While Microsoft has no evidence that Trickbot hackers intend to interfere with the election, it insists on disabling it to ensure it does not fuel confusion by locking up voter registration or e-poll book systems. The tech giant also seeks to make it impossible for hackers to lease or buy new servers.
The hackers have already leveraged the botnet to cripple healthcare provider Universal health Services systems as part of a ransomware attack Ryuk. The attack forced staff to resort to manual systems and paper records.
