Krebs Pinpoints the likely Person behind the Mirai Botnet

The fall of 2017 was a difficult period for Mirai. It first hijacked numerous IoT devices to launch an extensive Distributed Denial-Of-Service attack (DDoS), on the KrebsOnSecurity website in September. Then, it brought the entire internet offline the internet within a few months. But who is the person responsible for the attack? Brian Krebs, security researcher, set out to find the source of the malware after his site was shut down. He discovered several sources and evidence that suggest Paras Jha (a Rutgers University student who is also the owner of DDoS protection company Protraf Solutions).

The source code of the Mirai botnet was released by the attacker, who was referred to under the name Anna Senpai, around a week later. This led to the emergence of other copycat attacks. It also provided Krebs with the first clue to the long road to discover Anna Senpai''s real identity. Krebs created a glossary of terms and names that are cross-referenced, as well as a partial map of relationships.

Although the tale is more than 8000 words however, it''s worth reading to learn how botnet wranglers make their money siccing zombie devices on innocent victims. The sources who pointed Krebs to Anna Senpai''s identity were involved in using botnets on behalf of clients in shadows, and unleashing them on security firms that protect lucrative Minecraft servers that host thousands of players. Minecraft servers Players are likely to leave if their online gaming experience is disrupted, such as by irritating DDoS attacks or repeated DDoS attacks. This gives servers incentive to switch to security services that can provide protection and, in this instance the same security providers who orchestrated the botnet attacks.

Krebs'' source claims that Krebs'' security site was compromised in the botnet war by it divulging information in September and resulting in the arrests of the two hackers responsible for the Israeli "vDos" attack service. Anna Senpai was allegedly paid by vengeful clients to unleash Mirai on KrebsOnSecurity, cementing their interest in the security firm.