Summary 24-year-old California resident is accused of helping market and sell a tool for BlackShades malware
NEW YORK (AP) -- A California man has pleaded guilty in New York City for his role marketing malware that federal authorities say infected more than a half-million computers worldwide.
Brendan Johnston entered his plea to a charge of conspiracy to commit computer hacking before a Manhattan federal judge on Friday.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara says the 24-year-old California resident helped market and sell a remote access tool for the BlackShades malware. He says Johnston also provided technical assistance.
Johnston s attorney says he helped customers for less than a year and has accepted responsibility for his involvement.
Authorities say the computer program allowed cybercriminals to remotely access people s computers and webcams.
Investigators in Europe and the U.S. announced earlier this year the arrests of 97 people suspected of using BlackShades.
