Network Security, Governance, Risk and Compliance, Endpoint/Device Security

US, Australia apprehend Firebird RAT developer

Share
handcuffs sit on the keyboard of a laptop. cybercrime

The FBI and Australian Federal Police have partnered to arrest and indict an unnamed Australian who developed Firebird/Hive remote access trojan and California-based Edmond Chakhmakchyan, also known as Corruption, who allegedly marketed the RAT, according to BleepingComputer.

With a dozen charges filed against him, the Australian could be sentenced to up to 36 years imprisonment on May 7, according to the AFP, which alleged the suspect's involvement in peddling the RAT on a hacking forum that enabled usage among other threat actors. Meanwhile, Chakhmakhchyan was reported by the U.S. Justice Department to have been involved in RAT marketing and support, as well as illicit Bitcoin transactions.

While Chakhmakhchyan could face up to a decade's worth of imprisonment upon his sentencing in June, he has entered a not guilty plea to all charges, including several counts of conspiracy to promote a device's interception tool capabilities, deliver protected computer-damaging code, and infiltrating devices' systems for data access.

An In-Depth Guide to Network Security

Get essential knowledge and practical strategies to fortify your network security.

Get daily email updates

SC Media's daily must-read of the most current and pressing daily news

By clicking the Subscribe button below, you agree to SC Media Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.