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Almost 100 Arrested In Worldwide Swoop On Blackshades Malware

Posted by samzenpus on from the shut-it-down dept.

MattSparkes (950531) writes "Law enforcement around the world has teamed-up to arrest 97 for buying/using Blackshades malware, which can remotely seize control of a victim's computer, access documents, record keystrokes and even activate their webcam to take surreptitious pictures and video. It is also able to encrypt files in order to extract a ransom for their release. Blackshades RAT is a commercial product costing less than $200 which was marketed as a tool to test network security. However, it is widely used by hackers and was even said by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to have been used against Syrian activists by the government in 2012."

11 of 87 comments (clear)

  1. it is actually illegal by ganjadude · · Score: 3, Interesting

    to buy and sell a piece of software? what one does with it is obviously a different story, but I didnt think there was anything illegal against buying and selling a piece of software. In true /. fashion, I did not RTFA

    --
    have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    1. Re:it is actually illegal by ganjadude · · Score: 5, Insightful

      ahh so its like bongs, if its being sold as a water pipe (network testing tool) its ok, if its being sold as a bong( hacking tool) its not

      --
      have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    2. Re:it is actually illegal by QuasiSteve · · Score: 2

      If you read the article.. then could you point to the exact article that states that selling the software was illegal?

      All I'm reading is raids at people who used the software.

      Though I wouldn't blame them for going after the authors/sellers, given that it's got a template "we encrypted your files, send payment here for decryption key" letter included. That rather sways things well away from the "it's just a network security testing tool" suggestion.

    3. Re:it is actually illegal by Charliemopps · · Score: 4, Informative

      During the course of a worldwide investigation, creators, sellers and users of BlackShades malware were targeted by judicial and law enforcement authorities in 16 different countries.

      http://www.eurojust.europa.eu/...

      So they didn't go after people that bought it. They went after the people that wrote it, sold it or used it. If you bought it but didn't use it, they aren't going after you... yet. I suspect that what happened here was the authors put a backdoor into their backdoor software... which the users should have expected... lol. When they got raided, either law enforcement found it or they made a deal with the authors.

    4. Re:it is actually illegal by chuckugly · · Score: 2

      I did read the article and was wondering the same thing.

      The National Crime Agency (NCA) also said in a statement that it is aware of more people in the UK who bought the software but are yet to use it. It is working to warn them that "they are now known to the agency" and that "any movement into criminality will result in further action".

  2. NSA by eedwardsjr · · Score: 3, Funny

    "For internal use only"

  3. Today's Best Slashvertisement? by mythosaz · · Score: 3, Insightful

    How many of you thought, "Hey, only $200...hmmmm?"

    Be honest.

    I wonder what this particular Slashvertisement cost to buy?

    1. Re:Today's Best Slashvertisement? by InsultsByThePound · · Score: 3, Informative

      I thought, "I bet I can google this and get it for free." I was right.

    2. Re:Today's Best Slashvertisement? by JazzLad · · Score: 2

      Or any computer at the local Best Buy ...

      --
      "If you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear." - Every fascist, ever
  4. Windows is not the only OS out there by ruir · · Score: 2

    So please, write Windows computers and not just computers. Thank you.

    1. Re:Windows is not the only OS out there by cdrudge · · Score: 4, Funny

      Anyone who you would want to stalk, read their dirty emails, and see naked via a spycam is using Windows. Or possibly a Mac. I REALLY don't think you want to see the average Linux user naked and/or blackmail them for dirty pictures.