Marcus Hutchins, a cyber security researcher, became widely known after he helped stop a cyber attack by a malware called WannaCry earlier this year. The attack affected thousands of computers as well as many companies’ tech systems. Researchers credited Hutchins for discovering the kill switch in WannaCry that stopped the malware from infecting more computers. However, his status as a hero may be short-lived. Hutchins was recently arrested for his connection with a separate malware attack.
According to a indictment filed at a federal court in Milwaukee on Thursday, August 3, Hutchins and an unnamed partner made a malware named Kronos that could steal a user’s bank information and other similar sensitive financial data from the affected computer. Hutchins and his accomplice had planned to sell Kronos in 2014 and 2015. The indictment filing came after a two-year investigation. There are currently six indictments against Hutchins, stated the U.S. Justice Department.
Hutchins had been arrested at the Las Vegas airport earlier Thursday, August 3. He was about to return to the U.K. after attending a security conference, reported Motherboard.
A digital rights organization called the Electronic Frontier Foundation stated that they will be looking further into Hutchins’ arrest.
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