Seattle
A man believed to be one of the world’s most prolific spammers was arrested last week and charged with surreptitiously taking over other people’s computers to send millions of unsolicited e-mails. Robert Alan Soloway, 27, faces federal charges of e-mail fraud, aggravated identity theft, and money laundering. Prosecutors say Soloway infected unsuspecting people’s computers with a malicious code that turns the computers into “zombies.” These computers then are directed to send out reams of spam hawking everything from penny stocks to penis enlargement creams. Authorities say Soloway’s arrest could lead to a noticeable drop-off in spam for many computer users. He pleaded innocent to all charges.
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