Threat Management, Malware

Darkode hacker “Phastman” pleads guilty in federal court

Darkode hacker Eric Crocker, known as “Phastman,” pleaded guilty in federal court on Monday for violating the CAN-SPAM ACT.

Crocker was one of 70 individuals arrested in July for their roles in the Darkode cybercrime forum, which facilitated the purchase and trade of botnets, malware and stolen personal data such as payment card details and user credentials.

"In connection with the guilty plea, the court was advised that Crocker knowingly accessed a protected computer without authorization, namely a computer that had been infected by the Facebook Spreader and Slenfbot, and did intentionally initiate the transmission of multiple commercial electronic mail messages from or through such computer," an FBI release said.

Crocker is scheduled for sentencing on November 23, 2015 and is facing up to three years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

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