The hacker, known as USDoD or EquationCorp and linked to the breaches of National Public Data and InfraGard (which is linked to the FBI), was arrested by the Brazilian Federal Police as part of the police operation “Operation Data Breach”.
USDoD is behind major breaches. The hacker stole data and posted it on hacking forums, while simultaneously mocking the victims.
In the National Public Data breach, the personal data and social security numbers of hundreds of millions of US citizens were leaked online.
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However, his identity appears to have been revealed when the USDoD targeted cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and leaked Threat Actor Database . Shortly after the list was leaked, Brazilian publisher Techmundo received an anonymous tip generated by CrowdStrike that allegedly identified the attacker, revealing him to be a 33-year-old Brazilian named Luan BG.
Curiously, the USDoD hacker confirmed in an interview that CrowdStrike's information was accurate and said he lived in Brazil.
"So congratulations to Crowdstrike for doxing, but they are late. Intel421 Plus and a few other companies have already doxed me even before the Infragard hack," USDoD told HackRead.
Probably with the help of this information, the Brazilian Polícia Federal (PF) managed to arrest the hacker in Belo Horizonte/MG.
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" The Federal Police launched Operation Data Breach on Wednesday (16/10), with the aim of investigating intrusions into the systems of the Federal Police and other international institutions ," the PF press release states
«A search and seizure warrant and a preventive arrest warrant were issued in the city of Belo Horizonte/MG against a person suspected of two publications selling Federal Police data, on May 22, 2020 and February 22, 2022».
Authorities also said that the suspect boasted of being responsible for many violations.
The arrest of USDoD is a significant achievement in the fight against cybercrime , but it also serves as a reminder that this battle never ends.
Finding and apprehending cybercriminals requires constant vigilance and cooperation on a global scale. Governments, organizations and individuals must all play their part in measures cybersecurity to protect sensitive data and infrastructure. Only through a united effort can we effectively combat the ongoing threat of cybercrime.
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See also: Would-be murderer arrested via cybersecurity site
Overall, it is important for society as a whole to prioritize digital security and be informed about potential risks. Let's continue working together for a safer digital world!
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
