A popular online malware marketplace used by cybercriminals all over the world has been shut down by authorities.
The website, known as Darkode, established in 2007, was the largest-known English-language malware themed forum in the world. Darkode had between 250 and 300 active members and worked as a means for online criminals to buy and sell everything from stolen data, to various hacking tools.
As means to previously avoid unwanted infiltration, to become a member of the site, one had to be vouched for or nominated by existing members in order to utilize the forum. To further protect themselves, Darkode was hosted on web servers that were set up to resist law enforcement penetration.
It is believe that users of this forum were responsible for the cyber-attacks on Sony’s PlayStation Network and Microsoft’s Xbox Live services from last year, among others.
Arrests were made and search warrants were issued in an operation led by the FBI’s Pennsylvania field office. Currently, more than 70 cybercriminals from 20 different countries are being investigated.
If you think your company may be experiencing a hack or if you have questions about cyber-security, give us a call.
