First LockBit, now BreachForums: Are cops winning the war or just a few battles?

First LockBit, now BreachForums: Are cops winning the war or just a few battles?

May 17, 2024 at 07:42AM

Recent cybercrime operations by the FBI and global law enforcement included the shutdown of BreachForums, marking a more aggressive approach in battling cybercriminals. While takedowns disrupt, dismantlement involves arrests and infrastructure confiscation, a challenge compounded by cybercriminal safe havens. Efforts to dismantle groups like Scattered Spider are underway, albeit with significant difficulties and prolonged timelines.

Key takeaways from the meeting notes:

1. Law enforcement’s approach to trolling cyber criminals has become more aggressive, with recent successful takedowns of ransomware brokerage sites and efforts to disrupt criminal networks.

2. While disruption of criminal operations is effective, dismantlement involving arrests and confiscating infrastructure is more challenging and requires sustained effort.

3. Safe harbor provided by certain countries, such as Russia, makes it difficult to fully dismantle criminal organizations, as it impedes the arrest of individuals involved in cybercrime.

4. The FBI is facing pressure to target cyber criminals actively, with indications that efforts are being made to apprehend key members of criminal groups.

5. The difficulty of tracking and apprehending cyber criminals, particularly those involved in major cyberattacks, makes investigation and dismantlement a time-consuming process.

These takeaways highlight the ongoing challenges and efforts in combating cybercrime, as well as the complexities involved in dismantling criminal networks and apprehending individuals involved in cyber attacks.

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