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Posted

Just read this article on how the FBI and the AFP are tracking down usre of the blackshades tool

It is at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-20/afp-to-help-fbi-in-malware-crackdown/5464988

Just a reminder that you shouldn't break the law and only use security tools on systems that you are authorised to test.

Keep it legal.....

Posted

Just to clarify, wasn't that blackshades thing the malware itself?

In other words, something else got you on the target machine and at this point you would install this program to control the machine, kinda like a rootkit?

Posted (edited)

Other news article has listed that they had arrested the developers and are tracking down all who have used it to infect systems

I have not seen or used this tool, but what is next, kali,metasploit, pineapples, rubber ducks...

We need to keep in mind that the law is always watching, and we all should be ethical and stay within the law with what we do.

Edited by Swamppifi
Posted

Yeah, that's right. Blackshades was/is typically distributed via bent download links. It's more for building your own botnet rather than targeting specific individuals.

The raids are BS though. Owning software isn't a crime, using it for illegitimate purposes is. More than half of those who were arrested were charged with owning firearms and drugs. The ones who only had the blackshades on their system are having the charges dropped. It's just one big BS excuse to try and catch people that they can't get otherwise, either due to incompetence or laziness..

That post didn't like how I thought it would!! </rant>

Posted (edited)

It got in the news here aswell since a few raids took place here too. Not a word on drugs or firearms though, which isn't as abundant in .NL (well, the firearms at least).

From what I understand the writers of blackshades were already apprehended by the feds back in 2012 apparently because when the source was "leaked" back in 2010 their nicknames were somewhere in the distributed package and that allowed them to be tracked down. From what I can tell their trial is still ongoing but they're looking at doing serious time in a

.

Their ages are in the 19-24 range and they're looking at 10+ years. Life as they knew it is over.

Back to the software. Since the source was available, people ended up using it and possibly even improving upon it. The current crackdown is on people specifically using it for nefarious purposes. The example shown on tv here is the 'holding your files for ransom by encrypting them and charging for the key' and for good measure there were also a lot of reports from people who caved, coughed up the dough and yet didn't get their files back - there really is no honor amongst thieves.

From that point on of course, there's a money trail. And all the police has to do now is follow it which they did dilligently resulting in the current flurry of busts. And yes, many of those people will also get to enjoy a lengthy romantic encounter with Bubba.

Edited by Cooper
Posted

Well its became news down here today with the AFP now looking for Austrlain links, its been in the news feed all day.

Posted

Well, I'm from the UK and they don't report anything remotely hacking related here unless it's got something to do with celebrities (like the phone hacking scandal we had).

The things that some people were using blackshades for were awful, but I think they're gonna have a hard time proving that it was used by a lot of people to do what they think they did.

You're right about the authors though, the trial is only the beginning of their problems once they're convicted..

Posted

One of the more nasty things I learned someone could do using Blackshades: turn on the webcam and record what you're doing when you think nobody's watching. Supposedly tried to peddle such footage and is currently facing kiddie porn charges.

You have to keep in mind though that over here there is currently a big witchhunt going on about KP-related offences. The general public has been frightened and the media is milking it for every drop. This could very well be the state attorney trying to spice up the news to either show the country they're on it, or show the government they need increased funding, or both.

As Sean Kennedy would put it: Everything is fake

Posted (edited)

Yes..that is a real problem, and I don't have a problem with the law throwing the book at people caught accessing private webcam, or the criminals who break into computers for criminal gain..

I am just concerned of being targeted in a broad sweep by the law bodies, just because we muck around with computer and explore what can be done.

Let me explain, I have a harley, but due to the crackdown on outlaw clubs down here, every time I take it out, I get pulled over, and interigated on the side of the road...everytime..

As a result, I haven't ridden it in 8 months, the fact thay I don't have any tattoos and clearly have no connection to any outlaw club..

The law,governmet, and press are all on a bikie witch hunt so if you have a harley, your automaticly a criminal.

The fact that the AFP are now looking at computer crime again,means everyone is a target.

They are still crowing about their success in exposing a $7million dollar inside trading scam the busted last week , and how they will prosicute to the full anyone caught in the act of inside trading, computer crime , and creidt card fraud.

So I am concern that law abiding hackers will get washed up in any crack down.

Edited by Swamppifi
Posted

Well, I'm from the UK and they don't report anything remotely hacking related here unless it's got something to do with celebrities (like the phone hacking scandal we had).

The things that some people were using blackshades for were awful, but I think they're gonna have a hard time proving that it was used by a lot of people to do what they think they did.

You're right about the authors though, the trial is only the beginning of their problems once they're convicted..

The BBC did report this, though it wasn't headline news exactly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27471218

17 UK folks arrested.

Posted

The BBC did report this, though it wasn't headline news exactly.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27471218

17 UK folks arrested.

Alright, I might have exaggerated a bit, LOL. I take it you're from the UK as well though - I'm sure you agree that you can't expect the BBC or ITV or anyone else to report anything remotely related to InfoSec - even when they do it's grossly exaggerated even for the British Media.

Posted

Alright, I might have exaggerated a bit, LOL. I take it you're from the UK as well though - I'm sure you agree that you can't expect the BBC or ITV or anyone else to report anything remotely related to InfoSec - even when they do it's grossly exaggerated even for the British Media.

Yeah UK as well. :smile:

I wasn't having a dig, yes I agree that the BBC can be extremely biased and selective on their reporting. I only saw that Blackshades report as I'd heard about it on Twitter and specifically went into their technology section to look for it, if the story had some link to the Royal Family or involved a B-list celebrity I'm sure it would have been front page news. :wink:

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