March 20, 2024 at 03:54AM
Ukraine’s Cyber Police arrested three individuals for hijacking 100M emails and Instagram accounts, facing up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The group carried out brute-force attacks to take over accounts and sold the credentials on the dark web. In the U.S., Robert Purbeck pleaded guilty to breaching entities and extorting sensitive data, facing sentencing on June 18, 2024.
Summary of Meeting Notes:
– The Cyber Police of Ukraine arrested three individuals for hijacking over 100 million emails and Instagram accounts through brute-force attacks. The suspects, part of an organized group, operated under a leader’s direction and monetized the credentials on the dark web.
– It was highlighted that setting up two-factor authentication and using strong passwords can protect accounts from such hacking methods.
– The operation led to the confiscation of significant electronic equipment and cash from various locations in Ukraine.
– In the U.S., Robert Purbeck pleaded guilty to breaching entities and exfiltrating personal information, leading to charges of computer fraud and abuse. He faces sentencing in June 2024 and agreed to pay over $1 million in restitution to the impacted victims.