Microsoft to Reward Sasser Informants

Microsoft on Friday said it was prepared to split a $250,000 reward among two individuals that helped to identify the person who created last year's Sasser worm. The worm's author, 19-year-old Sven Jaschan, was found guilty in German court and faces a sentence of 21 months probation.

After the worm spread in May 2004, which caused infected Windows machines to crash and continuously reboot, Microsoft released a fix for the vulnerability that the worm exploited. It then offered a reward to those who could supply information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

"We're pleased that the author of the Sasser worm has admitted responsibility for the damage he caused and is being held accountable," said Nancy Anderson, vice president and deputy general counsel at Microsoft. Anderson said Microsoft is happy to pay the reward to those who assisted in the conviction of Jaschan.

The reward will be paid from a special Microsoft fund set up in collaboration with Interpol, the FBI and the Secret Service in November 2003. To qualify for the reward, the informant must not be a part of criminal activity and must provide credible information.

Sasser scanned for vulnerable computers, but was not a malicious worm; it was designed to seek out and delete other worms including MyDoom. However, the network scanning casused Windows computers to crash and reboot.

The Redmond company said that along with the reward program it continues to move aggressively to ensure its software is secure as possible. It also plans to continue its practice of offering proactive guidance to computer users on how to best avoid infection by worms and viruses.

Also, members of law enforcement stressed that cooperation must continue in order to stem the increasing tide of cyber crime.

"Internet crime such as the one resolved today with this conviction in Germany know no boundaries or borders," said Louis M. Reigel, assistant director of the Cyber Division of the FBI. "It is critical that law enforcement and private industry continue to work together across borders to address these issues."

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