Canadian admits to hacking spree with Russian cyber-gang
The 34-year-old was affiliated to the NetWalker ransomware crew, which has attacked companies, municipalities, hospitals, schools and universities.
The case represents a rare example of a successful arrest and prosecution of a hacker working for a Russia-based cyber-crime group.
Evidence gathered by police shows he went on a hacking spree between April and December 2020, attacking 17 Canadian companies and many others around the world.
NetWalker operated a ransomware-as-a-service criminal business, offering its malicious software and extortion website to hacker affiliates.
The leaders, who are still at large, communicate in Russian online and ensure that their malware does not infect Russian computer systems, or those of former Soviet countries which are now members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
NetWalker developers and affiliates split the ransom or, if the victim refuses to pay, a share of the money made from selling the stolen data.
