A West Petrol Market programmer was fined by a court for creating and using a malicious script that disrupts the operation of mobile devices by sending mass SMS messages.
Penalty for malicious code
Detection of dangerous script
According to information from court documents, an employee of West Petrol Market LLC (the company that manages the network of WOG gas stations ) as a software engineer, deliberately created and uploaded a potentially dangerous program in Python. This was done despite his knowledge of the principles of operation of malicious software and the prohibition against its distribution.
Detected malware details
During a search on the specialist's home computer, the file "main.py" and a special Python utility for launching it were found. Unfortunately, the case materials do not specify how the violation initially became known.
How the malware works
According to the court ruling, the "main.py" file, after being activated using a Python utility and entering a mobile phone number, initiates the bulk sending of SMS messages when certain actions are performed. As a result of such an attack, standard functions of a mobile device, including receiving calls, processing messages and using a web browser, become virtually unavailable due to system overload.
Judgment and punishment
The court found the programmer guilty of illegally using malicious programs intended for unauthorized interference in the operation of information systems . As punishment, a fine of 34,000 hryvnia was imposed. Additionally, the accused must pay 6,058.24 hryvnia for conducting a forensic computer examination.
Position of the accused
The programmer admitted his guilt in court and promised to comply with the law and adhere to impeccable behavior in the future.
Glossary
- WOG - a network of gas stations in Ukraine
- Python - high-level programming language
- SMS - short message service for mobile devices
- LLC " West Petrol Market" - a company that manages a network of WOG gas stations
- Gas station - automobile filling station
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Answers to questions
What violation was committed by the software engineer of West Petrol Market LLC?
How did the malicious script work?
How was the violation discovered?
What punishment did the programmer receive for his actions?
How did the accused react to the court's decision?
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Discussion of the topic – WOG programmer fine: UAH 34,000 for dangerous SMS messaging script
A software engineer for the WOG gas station network was fined UAH 34,000 for deliberately downloading a dangerous Python script for sending SMS messages, despite awareness of security principles.
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Viktor
Wow! The WOG programmer created a malicious script and got caught. I wonder why he needed this? 🤔
Sophia
What a horror! A 34,000 UAH fine is a lot. But I think the punishment is fair. You can’t be so irresponsible about cybersecurity, especially when working for a large company.
Hans
Viktor, maybe he wanted to earn extra money on the side? Or it's just a failed experiment. In any case, it is very stupid to do this on a work computer.
Isabella
What surprises me more is that he used Python for this. Couldn't there have been a less obvious way? 🐍 Although, maybe he didn’t plan on being caught.
Oleksandr
This whole malware thing is nonsense. Previously, people lived without computers and got along just fine. And now I panic because of every script.
Viktor
Oleksandr, times are changing! Cybersecurity is more important now than ever. Imagine how much data can be stolen with one careless action.
Sophia
I agree with Viktor! Oleksandr, progress cannot be ignored. By the way, I wonder how WOG responded to this incident? 🤔
Hans
I think that after such an incident, WOG will strengthen control over its employees. Maybe they will even introduce additional code checks before using it. Safety first! 💻🔒