Tag: World market darknet

US authorities are offering $10 million for info on nation-state cyber-attacks

US authorities are offering up to $10 million in cryptocurrency for information ultimately causing the identification of state-sponsored cyber-attackers.

Underneath the scheme, which takes place under the Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, world market onion payouts will undoubtedly be awarded for the identity or location of anybody who, “while acting at the direction or beneath the control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activities against US critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

A media release states that violations include threats made during ransomware attacks, unauthorized use of a protected computer with intention to steal sensitive data, and intentionally causing damage without authorization to a protected computer.

The program has create a reporting channel accessible on the dark web to greatly help protect the safety and security of potential sources.

“Reward payments may include payments in cryptocurrency,” said the Department of State.

More information on how best to access the Tor-based reporting channel can be found in the release.

In the pipeline

The offer of an incentive comes since the US continues to see cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure that have caused chaos throughout the nation.

In May this year, a ransomware attack on gas supplier Colonial Pipeline take off services to multiple states on the east coast.

Attackers leveraging DarkSide malware demanded $4.3 million in bitcoin – a sum that has been reportedly paid out by the company.

Security professionals previously told The Daily Swig that in paying ransoms, organizations risk perpetuating a “feedback loop of malicious activity” that “allows the groups to attain a greater degree of sophistication throughout their next attacks, whether that be via training, new tooling, purchasing credentials, or recruitment.

Deer.io takedown: Russian citizen jailed for selling stolen personal data of US citizens online

A Russian citizen has been jailed for 30 months for his role in selling stolen credit-based card information and various data helpful to fuel further criminal activity.

Kirill Victorovich Firsov, 30, from Moscow, acted because the administrator of an online site that provided stolen sensitive information and also other services to get used for cybercrime, a US Department of Justice release states.

One-stop cybercrime platform

As previously reported by The Daily Swig, the now-defunct website – Deer.io – hosted approximately 2,000 illicit internet retailers making it approximately $17 million during its seven-year operation.

It sold information including gamer account logins, and the personal information of US citizens not restricted to names, current addresses, cell phone numbers, and at times Social Security numbers.

Deer.io was released who are only October 2013 and was turned off following Firsov’s arrest in March 2020 after an operation in which the FBI purchased 1,100 gamer accounts and the personal data upwards of 3,600 Americans.

The prosecutor asserted that Firsov knew deer.io was selling stolen and counterfeit accounts as they built the platform.

“Also, deer.io was easily searchable, so anyone – including Firsov – could search the system for stolen US accounts and knowledge,” the making reads.

“Though it sold stolen accounts, deer.io wasn’t cloaked in secrecy and required no special password for access, because everything was uses up Russia, and American police could gain no foothold.”

‘Sending a message’

“The FBI will pursue cybercriminals across the world market url,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge, Suzanne Turner.

“Today’s sentence sends a communication – conducting criminal activity external to the United States does not mean you might be from reach.

“The FBI will identify and pursue criminal actors while in the cyber-sphere, where ever they operate, and try to bring these to justice within a United States court.”

US authorities are offering $10 million for home elevators nation-state cyber-attacks

US authorities are offering around $10 million in cryptocurrency for information leading to the identification of state-sponsored cyber-attackers.

Under the scheme, which occurs beneath the Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program, payouts is likely to be awarded for the identity or location of anyone who, “while acting at the direction or under the control of a foreign government, participates in malicious cyber activities against US critical infrastructure in violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA).

A press release states that violations include threats made during ransomware attacks, unauthorized use of a protected computer with intention to steal sensitive data, and intentionally causing damage without authorization to a protected computer.

This system has setup a reporting channel accessible on the dark web to greatly help protect the safety and security of potential sources.

“Reward payments may include payments in cryptocurrency,” said the Department of State.

More details on how best to access the Tor-based reporting channel can be found in the release.

In the pipeline

The offer of an incentive comes as the US continues to have cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure which have caused chaos throughout the nation.

In May in 2020, a ransomware attack on gas supplier Colonial Pipeline stop services to multiple states on the east coast.

Attackers leveraging DarkSide malware demanded $4.3 million in bitcoin – a sum that has been reportedly paid out by the company.

Security professionals previously told The Daily Swig that in paying ransoms, organizations risk perpetuating a “feedback loop of malicious activity” that “allows the groups to attain a better amount of sophistication during their next attacks, whether that be via training, new tooling, purchasing credentials, world market onion or recruitment.