## Rapper Bot Mastermind Nabbed: Oregon Man Accused of Fueling Major Cyberattacks, Including Twitter/X Takedown
**A significant bust in the ongoing fight against cybercrime! Authorities have arrested a 22-year-old man from Oregon, accusing him of orchestrating “Rapper Bot,” a powerful botnet responsible for launching widespread distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks.**
This isn’t just any collection of compromised computers; Rapper Bot is alleged to have been the engine behind some serious online disruption, most notably a massive DDoS attack in March 2025 that successfully knocked Twitter (now X) offline. Imagine trying to connect with friends, catch up on news, or run your business, only to be met with an error message – that’s the impact of these attacks.
The U.S. Department of Justice claims that this young suspect, working with an unknown accomplice, wasn’t just playing around. They allegedly **rented out the capabilities of Rapper Bot to online extortionists.** This means criminals could pay to take down websites, cripple services, or disrupt operations, likely in exchange for ransom payments.
What’s particularly interesting, and perhaps a sign of the sophistication (or perhaps just self-preservation) of the alleged operators, is their attempt to fly under the radar. The Justice Department states that the pair **made a conscious effort to ensure their botnet was never pointed at KrebsOnSecurity.** For those unfamiliar, KrebsOnSecurity is a highly respected cybersecurity news outlet and a frequent target of cyberattacks itself. This suggests the suspects were aware of who was watching and tried to avoid drawing attention from prominent security researchers.
This arrest is a crucial step in dismantling the infrastructure that enables these disruptive and damaging cyberattacks. It highlights the ongoing threat posed by botnets and the individuals who control them, and serves as a reminder that law enforcement is actively working to bring these cybercriminals to justice.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this case as more details emerge. Stay tuned for further updates!
[Source](https://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/08/oregon-man-charged-in-rapper-bot-ddos-service/)
