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Dozens of Arrests in 'Blackshades' Hacking Around the World
ABC ^ | May 19, 2014 | AARON KATERKSY

Posted on 05/19/2014 7:16:13 PM PDT by BenLurkin

The FBI and law enforcement officials in more than a dozen countries have made scores of arrests in cases involving Blackshades, malicious software that allows users to surreptitiously peep into the computers and web cameras of others.

In what the FBI said was the largest global cyber operation to date, raids were carried out in 18 countries at the homes of people suspected of buying the malware, which was available for a $40 download. The targets for law enforcement included the creators and administrators of Blackshades.

The software was used last year against Miss Teen USA Cassidy Wolf in what became known as a cyber “sextortion” case. Wolf, then 19 years old, told reporters last August she had received an anonymous email in which the sender claimed to have nude photos of her, captured from her webcam, and threatened to post the photos online unless Wolf gave him more nude pictures or videos.

(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Computers/Internet
KEYWORDS: blackshades; cassidywolf; missteenusa

1 posted on 05/19/2014 7:16:13 PM PDT by BenLurkin
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“Blackshades made taking over a computer so easy, even a caveman could do it,” said Leo Taddeo, chief of the cybercrimes unit of the FBI office in New York.

http://www.latimes.com/nation/nationnow/la-na-blackshades-webcam-malware-arrest-20140519-story.html


2 posted on 05/19/2014 7:18:23 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

“Blackshades.” Another term I’ve never heard of that makes me feel old and not hip. Not that I was ever hip.


3 posted on 05/19/2014 7:28:28 PM PDT by equalator
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To: equalator

You and me both.

If I had a webcam I’d feel sorry for anyone downloading pics of me in my underwear.


4 posted on 05/19/2014 7:29:43 PM PDT by BenLurkin (This is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion or satire; or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

Well if you have a laptop built in last ten years, you probably have a webcam eye, that can be hacked to watch you work...I keep tape over mine so all they see is a black hole.


5 posted on 05/19/2014 7:34:53 PM PDT by Kackikat
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To: BenLurkin
There's only one thing to say to those people stupid enough to click on a link from BlackShades:


6 posted on 05/19/2014 7:41:16 PM PDT by Lmo56 (If ya wanna run with the big dawgs - ya gotta learn to piss in the tall grass ...)
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To: Kackikat
I keep tape over mine so all they see is a black hole.

Moody's just put in a Buy recommendation for Duct Tape manufacturers ...

7 posted on 05/19/2014 7:42:49 PM PDT by Lmo56 (If ya wanna run with the big dawgs - ya gotta learn to piss in the tall grass ...)
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To: BenLurkin

I’m ok with shooting computer hackers.


8 posted on 05/19/2014 7:49:35 PM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (Obama lied; our healthcare died.)
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To: Lmo56

Moody’s? The credit rating people?


9 posted on 05/19/2014 7:57:40 PM PDT by Kackikat
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To: HereInTheHeartland
I’m ok with shooting computer hackers.

Me too, but I am wondering if they are being allowed to arrest people in other countries, with help from the host countries? They sure are not getting any cooperation from China on hacking.

10 posted on 05/19/2014 8:09:58 PM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
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To: Mark17

And isn’t that because many of the hackers are from China?


11 posted on 05/19/2014 8:12:12 PM PDT by Kackikat
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To: Kackikat
And isn’t that because many of the hackers are from China?

I am sure that is true. We never seem to hear about us hacking them, except for the NSA, but I am talking about real hacking, not just listening to everyone's phone calls.

12 posted on 05/19/2014 8:31:56 PM PDT by Mark17 (Chicago Blackhawks: Stanley Cup champions 2010, 2013. Vietnam Vet 70-71 Msgt US Air Force, retired)
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To: Kackikat

>> And isn’t that because many of the hackers are from China?

Probably most of the criminal hackers - those after money, not military/political/diplomatic data, are in Russia and other ex-USSR countries.


13 posted on 05/19/2014 9:05:54 PM PDT by expat1000
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To: BenLurkin

Disabled my camera. deleted it and the the software.

Hate em....


14 posted on 05/19/2014 9:54:02 PM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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