Law Enforcement Agencies Shut Down Genesis Market

Uploaded on 2023-04-05 in GOVERNMENT-Law Enforcement, FREE TO VIEW

One of the largest criminal marketplaces which is used by on-line fraudsters has been closed down by law enforcement. An international operation has taken down an important hacker forum and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seized Genesis Market, a notorious hacker marketplace used to acquire compromised credentials and digital browser fingerprints.

This FBI action was the result of “Operation Cookie Monster” a reference to the stolen website cookies sold on Genesis Market in huge volumes over the past five years, along with other data needed for logging in to third-party machines. 

In addition to the FBI, the takedown involved law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, Canada, Germany, Poland and Sweden.

A number of different domain names are tied to Genesis Market, a very active cyber crime store that sold access to passwords and other data stolen from millions of computers infected with malicious software. Genesis Market sold login details, IP addresses and other data some of which often only cost less than a US dollar.

Genesis Market has been working since March 2018 using the marketing slogan “Our store sells bots with logs, cookies, and their real fingerprints,” and it was notable for its user-friendly interface. 

Customers could search for infected systems with a variety of options, including by Internet address or by specific domain names associated with stolen credentials. Genesis criminals were mainly using it for fraud as the hackers could use the data for sale there to deliver ransomware attacks, where hackers use the data to block a legitimate business’s website and data access and demand payment for its release.

Genesis Market had at least 80m sets of victims entre details for sale and it operated on the Open Web as well as the Dark Web.

This law enforcement operation also saw 120 people arrested and 200 searches carried out globally, according to the British National Crime Agency (NCA). NCA officers have arrested 19 suspected users of the site in the UK,  who are being held on suspicion of fraud and computer misuse. And while these arrests take some alleged cyber criminals offline, the acute demand for stolen personal data means that other hackers will take their place.

These arrests won't stop criminal websites from selling bootleg logins and many of Genesis Market's customers will probably just move on to smaller marketplaces. This in, nevertheless, a significant action that could make it harder for attackers to simply buy the login data they need.

Krebs On Security:    BBC:     Endgadget:    Techcrunch:   CNN:      Infosecurity Magazine:

The FBI’s Advice On Ransomware:

___________________________________________________________________________________________

If you like this website and use the comprehensive 6,500-plus service supplier Directory, you can get unrestricted access, including the exclusive in-depth Directors Report series, by signing up for a Premium Subscription.

  • Individual £5 per month or £50 per year. Sign Up
  • Multi-User, Corporate & Library Accounts Available on Request

Cyber Security Intelligence: Captured Organised & Accessible

 

« Phishing Kits: The New Frontier For Hackers
If It’s Convenient Be Suspicious – The Human Aspect »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

LockLizard

LockLizard

Locklizard provides PDF DRM software that protects PDF documents from unauthorized access and misuse. Share and sell documents securely - prevent document leakage, sharing and piracy.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

SABSACourses

SABSACourses

SABSA is a development process used for solving complex problems such as IT Operations, Risk Management, Compliance & Audit functions.

EuroISPA

EuroISPA

EuroISPA is a pan European association of European Internet Services Providers Associations and the world’s largest association of ISPs.

Skkynet Cloud Systems

Skkynet Cloud Systems

Skkynet is a leader in real-time data systems for the secure management and control of industrial processes (SCADA) and embedded devices (M2M).

OSIRIS Lab - NYU Tandon

OSIRIS Lab - NYU Tandon

The Offensive Security, Incident Response & Internet Security Lab (OSIRIS) is a security research environment where students analyze and understand how attackers take advantage of real systems.

Cyber London (CyLon)

Cyber London (CyLon)

CyLon is a leading cyber security accelerator and seed investment programme. We help entrepreneurs from across the globe to build cyber security businesses, raise investment, and develop partnerships.

Modulo Security

Modulo Security

Modulo provides automated Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) solutions.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a Virtual Private Network services provider offering secure encrypted access to the internet.

ENLIGHTENi

ENLIGHTENi

ENLIGHTENi are the platform to develop next-gen talent in Technology, Risk, and Cybersecurity. Our mission is to develop next-gen talent through challenge-based learning and team collaboration.

SynerLeap

SynerLeap

SynerLeap is ABB's innovation growth hub. Our aim is to help startups accelerate and expand across industries, ranging from industrial automation and robotics to grid technologies and smart cities.

Netragard

Netragard

Netragard has an established reputation for providing high-quality offensive and defensive security services.

Cloud Range

Cloud Range

Cloud Range provides cybersecurity teams with access to the world's leading cyber range platform, eliminating the need to invest in costly cyber range infrastructure.

AnyTech365

AnyTech365

AnyTech365 is a leading European IT Security and Support company helping end users and small businesses have a worry-free experience with all things tech.

XpertDPO

XpertDPO

XpertDPO provides data security, governance, risk and compliance, GDPR and ISO consultancy to public and private sector organisations.

Davinsi Labs

Davinsi Labs

Davinsi Labs helps companies achieve Digital Service Excellence with specialized Security Intelligence and Service Intelligence solutions.

Archer Technologies

Archer Technologies

Archer helps organizations manage risk in the digital era—uniting stakeholders, integrating technologies and transforming risk into reward.

RightSec

RightSec

RightSec is an emerging market leader and solution provider for cybersecurity and digital resiliency. We provide end to end solutions to suit your specific business lifecycle.