Police officers from across the UK, working with the country’s National Crime Agency (NCA), have arrested six teenagers in connection with the “malicious activity” of the Lizard Squad DDoS tool, LizardStresser.
The software, provided by the notorious hacking collective, takes down targeted websites for up to eight hours, in return for payment. The teenagers under investigation, all male and aged between 15 and 18, used “alternative” payment systems such as Bitcoin to pay for the services, the NCA said, as part of an effort to ensure their anonymity.
Among the businesses said to have been affected by LizardStresser DDoS attacks are a national newspaper, a school, gambling companies and online retailers.
The NCA made the arrests in collaboration with regional and local police forces across the UK, and will also visit a further 50 addresses of young people who have signed up to LizardStresser but have apparently not yet used it.
The NCA’s efforts are part of a campaign to stop young people believed to be on the verge of falling into a life of online crime.
Those who receive a knock on the door from the police will receive a stern warning about the illegal nature of DDoS attacks, as well as the potential legal sanctions that could result from such activity, including an internet ban or computer ban.
NCA head of cybercrime investigations Tony Adams said: “For a relatively small fee, tools like Lizard Squad DDoS and LizardStresser can destroy businesses financially and deny access to vital information and public services.
“This multi-agency operation demonstrates the commitment of the NCA and its partners to go after people who think they can criminally disrupt important public services or legitimate businesses.”
“One of our key priorities is to work with those on the fringes of cybercrime to help them understand the consequences of cybercrime and how they can channel their skills into productive and lucrative legitimate careers.”
Lizard Squad has made headlines in recent months for a series of high-profile attacks, including on popular gaming platforms Xbox and PlayStation.
