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Judge Sets $30K Bail for Cyber Expert Accused in Malware Case

A federal judge in Nevada set $30,000 bail for Marcus Hutchins, who gained fame after being credited with stopping the "WannaCry" ransomware attack.
Image: Illustration ot man typing on a computer keyboard
The FBI is warning that unknown hackers have launched cyberattack with 'destructive malware' in the U.S.Kacper Pempel
/ Source: Reuters

LAS VEGAS — A U.S. judge in Law Vegas set a $30,000 bail on Friday for a famed British cyber security researcher accused of advertising and selling malicious code used to pilfer banking and credit card information.

Marcus Hutchins, 23, gained international celebrity status within the hacker community in May when he was credited with neutralizing the global "WannaCry" ransomware attack.

His attorney, Adrian Lobo, told reporters he would not be released on Friday because the clerk's office for the court closed before his defense team could post the bail.

Image: Marcus Hutchins
British IT expert Marcus Hutchins who has been branded a hero for slowing down the WannaCry global cyber attack, sits in front of his workstation during an interview on May 15, 2017 in Ilfracombe, England. fileFrank Augstein / AP file

Judge Nancy Koppe dismissed a federal prosecutor's claim that Hutchins was a flight risk. If released, Hutchins will be barred from computer use or internet access.

Hutchins was "doing well, considering what's gone on," his defense attorney, Adrian Lobo, told reporters.

She said it was "unexpected in (Hutchins') mind to ever be in this situation."

News of Hutchins' arrest on Wednesday shocked other researchers, many of whom rallied to his defense and said they did not believe he had ever engaged in cyber crime.