South Korean authorities have arrested a CEO and five employees for producing over 240,000 satellite receivers equipped with DDoS attack capabilities, either pre-installed or added via firmware updates. The illegal functionality was requested in 2018 by a client seeking to retaliate against a competitor. Users of these devices unknowingly participated in DDoS attacks, potentially experiencing degraded performance.
Between 2019 and 2024, 98,000 units were shipped with DDoS capabilities pre-installed, with the remaining receivers updated later. The scheme was uncovered after Interpol provided intelligence that revealed illegal broadcasting activities involving these devices.
The arrested individuals face charges under South Korea’s Information and Communications Network Act, and authorities seized $4.35 million in profits from the company. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the international operators who purchased the malicious equipment.
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