Australians targeted in hacker raids

Australian authorities have joined a co-ordinated global crackdown on computer hackers who use software known as Blackshades for sinister purposes.

blackshades_aap.jpg

Two people photograph a map after a press conference by Preet Bharara, United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, where he discussed charges against suspected computer hackers related into an international malware group called Blackshades in New York. (AAP)

 

Hackers in Australia, Canada, Asia and Europe have flooded chatrooms, online forums and websites in recent days complaining about their homes being raided and computers seized by authorities.

The FBI and federal prosecutors in New York plan to announce the results of US raids as soon as Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Blackshades is a remote administration tool (RAT) allowing hackers to take control of unwitting victims' computers, steal their passwords and personal information, launch hacker attacks from the hijacked computer and take control of webcams to spy on victims.
 
Victims can then be subjected to ransom threats.

Blackshades software can be used for legitimate purposes, including accessing a computer away from home.

The software was sold in underground online hacking marketplaces for $US40 to $US100.

An Australian wrote on a hacker forum how he "just got swatted" in a raid on his house by the Australian Federal Police and three laptops and a desktop computer were seized.

A Canadian told how the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raided his home.

"My son bought Blackshades and they had a warrant and searched the entire house," the Canadian told thehackernews.com website. "They confiscated his computer."


Share
2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world