RantCrush Top 5: August 17, 2017

The first witness in the investigation of the Russian hack into U.S. servers last year has come forward. A Ukrainian hacker who goes by Profexer says his malware was used by Russian intelligence. His online presence suddenly went invisible days after the hack was discovered and after the Department of Homeland Security found the software. But later, he decided to turn himself in. “I don’t know what will happen. It won’t be pleasant. But I’m still alive,” he wrote on a website before going to the police. He wasn’t arrested because his actions fall into a legal gray area. His name is still a secret and he is now a witness cooperating with the FBI.

Profexer reportedly made his hacking tool available for download online and only asked for donations in return. Russian hacker groups, with ties to the Russian government, found the tool, but it’s not known if Profexer cooperated with them. It is also not clear whether it was this tool that was used in the hack of the DNC servers. But at least it’s another step forward in the investigation of the hack.

Malware to hack DNC written by Ukrainian hacker who’s gone to FBI, showing overlap b/w Russian spies & crime world https://t.co/RFKLao8Yth

— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) August 16, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.