A computer programmer was convicted of launching a virus that infected approximately 100,000 computers around the world and directed them to attack media outlets that republished stories that mentioned him.

 

Bruce Raisley of Kansas City, Mo. was convicted of the count charged in the Indictment on which he was tried: launching a malicious computer program designed to attack computers and Internet websites, causing damages.

 

According to FBI documents, Raisley developed a virus that would spread over the Internet and infect computers. When he deployed the virus, it infected approximately 100,000 computers across the world, creating what is known as a botnet. Evidence admitted at trial demonstrated that Raisley targeted and attacked a number of websites, including those of Rolling Stone, Radar, Nettica, Corrupted Justice, and the Rick Ross Institute of New Jersey. In total, those websites suffered damages in excess of $100,000 in lost revenues and mitigation.