[Trust]

"Maxwell and two juvenile co-conspirators were accused of using "botnet" attacks -- programs that let hackers infect and control a computer network -- to install unwanted internet advertising software, a job that earned them about $100,000.

http://www.wired.com/news/wireservice/0,71669-0.html?tw=rss.index

Be Good

[chetf]

They really need to say what software they installed...

[Donuts]

"According to the plea agreement, MAXWELL and two unnamed co-conspirators created the botnet to fraudulently obtain commission income from installing adware on computers without the owners' permission. For example, by controlling someone's private computer, the botherder can remotely install the adware and collect the commission all without the computer owner's permission or knowledge. In this case, the government alleges that MAXWELL and his co-conspirators earned $100,000 in fraudulent payments from companies that had their adware installed."

Here's a page the government (Dept of Justice) maintains for the case and it lists a contact person where we can request more information:
http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/cyberc...axwellPlea.htm

Perhaps a few merchants might call and get some details to make sure the other parties involved aren't continuing to be paid money for adware cookie stuffing.