FBI Crackdown on Hackers Linked To International Blackshades Malware Ring

Representatives from the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) New York Field Office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York announced yesterday that they believe a Swedish national and an American citizen co-developed a insidious computer malware known as Blackshades. The software was apparently sold and distributed to thousands of people in more than 100 countries and has been used to infect more than half a million computers worldwide.

According to the authorities, so far during the takedown, 40 FBI field offices have conducted approximately 100 interviews, executed more than 100 e-mail and physical search warrants, and seized more than 1,900 domains used by Blackshades users to control victims’ computers. The law enforcement operation involved 18 other countries. More than 90 arrests have been made so far, and more than 300 searches have been conducted worldwide.

According to FBI “Blackshades malware—in particular, the Blackshades Remote Access Tool (RAT)—allows criminals to steal passwords and banking credentials; hack into social media accounts; access documents, photos, and other computer files; record all keystrokes; activate webcams; hold a computer for ransom; and use the computer in distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks.”

Resources

– Related New York press release
– FBI, This Week podcast