UK hacker jailed for 18 months

A man who spammed out viruses that targeted hundreds of UK businesses has been jailed for 18 months.

Matthew Anderson, a Scottish man who was part of the international m00p gang, was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

"This organised online criminal network infected huge numbers of computers around the world, especially targeting UK businesses and individuals," Detective Constable Bob Burls said in a statement. "Matthew Anderson methodically exploited computer users not only for his own financial gain but also violating their privacy. They used sophisticated computer code to commit their crimes."

Anderson infected computers with a view to stealing financial and other information, including CVs, wills, and 'private photographs'. He also turned on webcams to spy on people, often without their knowledge. Anderson used the pseudonyms Warpigs and Aobuluz.

The operation to arrest Anderson involved the Finnish police, who arrested a man in 2006. Another man was arrested but was dropped from the investigation.