FBI, NCA crack down on dark web market
In a global crackdown known as ‘Operation Cookie Monster’, international law enforcement agencies have taken control of a sizable dark web marketplace popular with cybercriminals, according to Britain’s National Crime Agency, NCA.
According to a banner plastered across the company’s website, the FBI seized late on Tuesday. Along with the logo of cybersecurity company Qintel, other police organisations from Europe, Canada, and Australia were also prominently displayed on the website.
“We assess that Genesis is one of the most significant access marketplaces anywhere in the world,” Rob Jones, the NCA’s Director General of Threat Leadership, said.
According to the NCA, the service stored over two million people’s digital fingerprints and about 80 million user credentials.
The operation, which the FBI and Dutch National Police coordinated, involved 17 nations, according to the report. It produced over 200 searches, 120 arrests, and almost 100 instances of “preventative activity.”
In its seizure notice, the FBI indicated that anyone who had gotten in touch with them should “Email us, we’re interested,” indicating that they were also interested in learning more about them.
According to Louise Ferrett, an analyst at the British cybersecurity company Searchlight Cyber, Genesis specialised in selling digital goods, particularly “browser fingerprints” gathered from devices carrying malicious software.
These fingerprints, which frequently contain credentials, cookies, internet protocol addresses, and other information about browsers or operating systems, can be used by thieves to get around anti-fraud measures like multi-factor authentication or device fingerprinting, she said.
The NCA detailed that Genesis made money by selling credentials for prices ranging from $0.7 to hundreds of dollars, depending on the amount of available stolen data.
It said that the investigation also involved the following nations: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Diaspora
Ukraine: 26,500 Nigerian students, other Africans left academically stranded by Russian war
Many European countries offered limited support to African students, with different immigration laws and possible deportation of these students.
World
Russia: NATO holds exercise with live ammunition in Poland
Several hundred soldiers from six NATO countries took part in a joint land forces exercise in north-eastern Poland.
World
Turkish opposition reports armed assault as election tension grows
Latest polls foresee a tight race between Messrs Erdoğan and Kılıçdaroğlu.
Anti-Corruption
Zimbabwe freezes assets of officials over alleged money laundering
The FIU has frozen the assets of Fredrick Kunaka, general manager of Fidelity Printers and Refiners, and three others.
Faith
Jerusalem Violence: Gaza militants fire rockets into Israel
Seven rockets were launched from Gaza on Wednesday night and Thursday morning, the Israeli military reported.
Politics
APC lawmaker warns youths against staging #EndSARS-like protests, destabilising Nigeria
“Those who are not satisfied with the outcome should go to the court to seek redress rather than inciting the youth to stage #EndSARS-like protests to destabilise the country.”
