Malicious Android spyware creator faces up to 10 years in prison

[sinu]

Content source

http://www.neowin.net/news/malicious-android-spyware-creator-faces-up-to-10-years-in-prison

Corporate security has never been more relevant in this day and age, with many companies considering data theft and hacking as some of the biggest threats. Many corporations are turning to security companies to counter the threat of hackers and protect their information. However, the latest computer-related crime conviction shows that not all security contractors have good intentions.

Such is the case of 20-year-old Morgan Culbertson, a former intern at FireEye, who faces up to 10 years in prison after admitting to designing malicious software tool, Dendroid.

The Pennsylvania man is awaiting sentencing after admitting to creating the software tool that allowed users to create stealthy malicious apps, which would take pictures using the phone's camera, record audio and video, and download photos. The app, which sold for $300 on crime forum Darkode, contained unique coding which made evasion from anti-malware programs easy.

More Information from above link.

 

[DrySun]

Why is he being sued for developing this software? As long as he didn't use it for malicious purposes he shouldn't be held responsible for what other people do with it. Under this logic, why are we not suing weapon manufacturers for the killings carried out on other people, or why don't we sue the creators of the vast plethora of other pen-testing tools out there on the market?

 

[Cats-4_Owners-2]

Why is he being sued for developing this software? As long as he didn't use it for malicious purposes he shouldn't be held responsible for what other people do with it. Under this logic, why are we not suing weapon manufacturers for the killings carried out on other people, or why don't we sue the creators of the vast plethora of other pen-testing tools out there on the market?

This question is a good one for it addresses the moral/legal responsibility with viable parallels drawn between degree and criminal intent, be it malicious & profitable as described in the article, or regulated such as automobiles (safety in design).
Another (non-tech) related news story publicized today was of an American Teenaged girl sentenced to ten years in prison for her support of ISIS.

What seems to be happening, IMHO, are examples being made of individuals whereas these types of violations had not existed before, being far removed from a time when horse stealing was once accepted as punishable by hanging.

On a much lighter note, I'd left a commuter mug of coffee for my wife. When she knocked it off the side table, onto the floor & sent it rolling under our bed, I then informed her she would not have to go to prison because (I) her Judge did not find her guilty of deliberate intent to do harm!

 

[jamescv7]

Well sometimes better keep it off as educational purpose, one of the strongest evidence per mentioned by article is selling on a dark forum site which makes it per instrument to use for deceptive purpose.

The power of technology comes with more responsibility and awareness.