Welsh virus writer Vallor jailed for two years

[InfoSec News <isn () c4i org>]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/56/28953.html

By John Leyden
Posted: 21/01/2003

A 22-old Welsh Web designer who pleaded guilty to creating and
distributing three mass mailer viruses was sentenced to two years
imprisonment at Southwark Crown Court this afternoon.

Simon Vallor, of Llandudno, North Wales, last month admitted offences
under section three of the Computer Misuse Act 1990 in creating the
Gokar, Redesi and Admirer mass mailing viruses.

In sentencing Judge Geoffrey Rivlin said: "Virus writers are not
so-called computer buffs or nerds, they happen to be criminals...  
Their viruses cause destruction, disruption, consternation and even
economic loss on a grand scale." In sentencing, however, he took into
account Vallor's youth, his plea of guilty, and previous good
character.

At a hearing on December 20 in Bow Street Magistrates Court,
prosecutors submitted evidence that these viruses spread to 27,000
computers in 42 countries. In early 2002, Gokar was the third most
common virus on the Net. Today, the prosecution claimed 330,000
intercepts in 46 different countries.

Vallor pleaded guilty to the three Computer Misuse Act offences
against him at the December 20 hearing, where charges against him
relating to the possession of indecent images of children were
withdrawn when the police presented no evidence.

Vallor was arrested on February 14 last year and charged with offences
under section three of the Computer Misuse Act 1990, by British police
acting on intelligence from the FBI's Baltimore field office.

Officers from Scotland Yard's specialist Computer Crime Unit assisted
North Wales police in their investigation.



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