Malware
USDoD Hacker Responsible for Massive National Public Data Breach Captured in Brazil
Brazilian authorities have arrested a hacker accused of stealing 223GB of sensitive data from the US Department of Defense (DoD). The hacker, known as “Zambrius,” sold the data on the dark web and was also involved in other cybercrimes.
Imagine waking up one day to find your personal information plastered all over the internet. Well, that nightmare became a reality for millions of Americans when notorious hacker USDoD, also known as EquationCorp, breached National Public Data and the FBI’s InfraGard, leaking sensitive information online. But this cybercriminal’s reign of terror has come to an end, as Brazil’s Polícia Federal recently arrested USDoD in “Operation Data Breach.”
USDoD’s Infamous Data Breaches
USDoD gained notoriety for his high-profile data breaches, often stealing data and leaking it on hacking forums while taunting his victims. His breaches include the FBI’s InfraGard, a threat information sharing portal, and National Public Data, where the personal data and social security numbers of hundreds of millions of US citizens were leaked online.
However, things took a turn for the worse for USDoD when he targeted cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike and leaked the company’s internal threat actor list.
How USDoD Was Caught
After leaking CrowdStrike’s list, Brazilian publisher Techmundo received an anonymous report created by CrowdStrike that allegedly identified, or doxed, the threat actor, revealing he was a 33-year-old Brazilian named Luan BG. Strangely, USDoD confirmed that CrowdStrike’s information was accurate in an interview with HackRead and said he was currently living in Brazil.
With this information, Brazil’s Polícia Federal (PF) announced his arrest in Belo Horizonte/MG. “The Federal Police launched Operation Data Breach on Wednesday (16/10), with the aim of investigating invasions of the systems of the Federal Police and other international institutions,” reads the PF’s press release.
The Importance of Cybersecurity
This arrest serves as a reminder of the importance of cybersecurity. As individuals and businesses, we must stay vigilant and proactive in protecting our sensitive data. But you don’t have to navigate the world of cybersecurity alone.
Our IT Services team is here to help you protect your data and ensure your digital safety. From implementing robust security measures to providing guidance on best practices, we’ll work with you to keep your information secure.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Knowledge is power, and staying informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and best practices is the first step in keeping your data safe. We encourage you to reach out to our team and keep coming back to learn more about how to protect yourself and your business from cybercriminals.