Spying tools website taken down after UK raids

[steven36]

A website selling hacking tools that let attackers take over victims' computers has been closed down after an international investigation.

 

 

The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) said 14,500 people had bought spying tools from the Imminent Methods site.

 

Police searched more than 80 properties across the world to find those selling the tools.

 

They were also able to trace people who had bought the software and charge them with computer misuse offences.

'Serious criminality'

Imminent Methods sold a tool known as the Imminent Monitor Remote Access Trojan (Imrat) for about $25 (£19).

 

It gave the attacker full access to an infected device, letting them steal data, monitor what the victim was doing and even access their webcam.

 

The NCA said properties in Hull, Leeds, London, Manchester, Merseyside, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Somerset and Surrey were among those searched.

 

The international operation was led by the Australian Federal Police.

 

The authorities were able to take down the website selling the software, which subsequently stopped the cyber-stalking tools from working.

 

The NCA's Phil Larratt said the tools had been used "to commit serious criminality" including "fraud, theft and voyeurism".

 

Police said 14 people had been arrested worldwide in connection with the sale and use of the software.

 

By seizing control of the website, police will have been able to "take a good look at what the site has been up to, including who has bought the illegal items", said Prof Alan Woodward, a cyber-security expert from the University of Surrey.

 

"The authorities now know how many users bought the malware on offer. They will now be working to unmask the 14,500 who were daft enough to buy this malware."

Crime as a service

"Organised crime gangs, as well as more petty criminals, are switching their attention to cyber-crime rather than, say, drugs, because it is perceived there will be a significant return on their investment and much lower risk," said Prof Woodward.

 

He said in addition to selling hacking tools, criminals also provide access to the infrastructure to power their malware, including so-called bulletproof hosting.

 

"They set themselves up in jurisdictions and in such a technical manner that they think they are untouchable by law enforcement agencies in the countries where their clients conduct their crimes," he told the BBC.

 

"All of the above is called crime as a service, and has been a significant trend in recent years."

 

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[steven36]

Search warrants were executed across the UK targeting sellers and users of the IM RAT hacking tool that lets cyber criminals steal data and spy on victims.

 

 

A website selling a cheap hacking tool allowing cyber criminals to steal data and spy on victims through their webcam has been taken offline in a major international effort.

 

The Imminent Monitor Remote Access Trojan (IM RAT) could be obtained for as little as 25 dollars - just under £20 - and was purchased by 14,500 people in 124 countries, the National Crime Agency (NCA) said.

 

With the malicious software covertly installed on a victim's computer, hackers could take full remote control, giving them the power to disable antivirus software, steal data or passwords, record key strokes and view footage from webcams.

 

A total of 21 search warrants were executed across the UK targeting suspected sellers and users of the tool, as part of an international week of action which started on Monday.

 

Searches were carried out in Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Milton Keynes, Hull, London, Leeds , Walsall, Lancashire, Nottingham, Surrey, Essex and Somerset, leading to nine arrests and the recovery of more than 100 exhibits.

 

"The IM RAT was used by individuals and organised crime groups in the UK to commit a range of offences beyond just the Computer Misuse Act, including fraud, theft and voyeurism," said Phil Larratt, from the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit.

 

"Cyber criminals who bought this tool for as little as 25 dollars were able to commit serious criminality, remotely invading the privacy of unsuspecting victims and stealing sensitive data."

 

The North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU) took charge of the UK investigation, which was led internationally by the Australian Federal Police (AFP).

 

Countries including Belgium, Sweden, Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Spain and Colombia also took part, resulting in 85 warrants executed worldwide, 14 people arrested and more than 400 items seized.

 

"Cyber crime is increasingly part of the serious and organised crime landscape and this example of international coordinated law enforcement activity shows the UK's absolute commitment to tackling and undermining this constantly evolving threat," said Chief Constable Andy Cooke, national policing lead for serious and organised crime.

 

Detective Inspector Andy Milligan, from the NWROCU, added: "The illicit use of IM RAT is akin to a cyber burglary, with criminals stealing data, including images and movies, secretly turning on webcams, monitoring key strokes and listening in to people's conversations via computer microphones.

 

"Cyber crime is not an anonymous victimless crime as some believe.

 

"There are real world consequences to people's actions in cyber space and the international activity this week has shown how serious the UK treats this sort of criminality."

The IM RAT tool can no longer be used by those who bought it.

 

Source