TRAPPER (computer virus)

TRAPPER was a Windows 9x computer virus written by Spanish coder & part-time DJ Alejandro Kortajarena Yñigo, also known by his codename SpaceBoy, of the multinational coding group eXtrema23.

It was designed to trick email users into opening a mail message with the subject line "HELLO" and an attached file named "SexyLady.jpg.vbs". When executed, it encrypts system files and wipes the database of antivirus programs.

The virus infected 100,000 computers in 2003, causing US$2 million in damages.

Alejandro and three other Spanish members of eXtrema23 turned themselves in to the police in on August 2, 2004 shortly after Alejandro mailed a confession letter to the Basque Country regional broadcaster. Shortly afterwards, eXtrema23's founder & leader Marco Quaglia Jr., alias The Shadow, of turned himself in to the.

Alejandro was tried in and charged with criminal mischief, and sentenced to four years in prison. Meanwhile, Marco Quaglia Jr. was charged with criminal negligence and computer fraud and sentenced to eight years in prison. eXtrema23 disbanded after this. As of 2019, Alejandro was living in and working as an audio engineer at a recording studio in  while Marco was working at a cellphone repair booth at the  in.