US claims major DDoS-for-hire takedown, but some ‘seized’ sites still load

U.S. officers say they’ve seized dozens of domains linked to a number of the world’s main distributed-denial-of-service-for-hire web sites. However TechCrunch discovered that a number of of the seized websites are nonetheless on-line.

In a press release on Wednesday, the U.S. Division of Justice introduced the takedown of 48 domains related to a number of the world’s hottest DDoS booter platforms, based on the corresponding warrant. These providers, typically marketed as websites for bandwidth stress-testing networks, enable low-skilled people to hold out DDoS assaults designed to overwhelm web sites and networks and drive them offline.

The takedowns have been carried out as a part of a joint operation between the U.Ok.’s Nationwide Crime Company, Dutch police and Europol, generally known as “Operation PowerOFF.”

The DOJ stated these booter websites have been concerned in assaults towards a big selection of victims within the U.S. and overseas, together with instructional establishments, authorities companies and gaming platforms. Europol notes that one of many websites seized has been used to hold out greater than 30 million assaults.

Whereas most of the web sites focused by the operation now show a message stating they’ve been seized by the FBI, TechCrunch discovered that — on the time of writing — at the least eight of the websites supposedly seized by U.S. prosecutors proceed to load as regular. It’s unclear why these websites proceed to load.

One of many DDoS booter websites allegedly seized by the DOJ, however which stays on-line. Picture Credit: TechCrunch (screenshot).

Operation PowerOff additionally noticed regulation enforcement officers arrest seven people who allegedly oversaw the DDoS booter providers. Within the U.S., felony expenses have been filed towards six people: John M. Dobbs, Jeremiah Sam Evans, Angel Manuel Colon Jr., Shamar Shattock, Cory Anthony Palmer and Joshua Laing.

On the time of writing, the DDoS-for-hire service allegedly run by Laing stays on-line.

DOJ spokesperson Thom Mrozek instructed TechCrunch that there was a delay in getting the FBI splash-pages. “We’re working with the registries to make this occur.” Mrozek stated whereas some websites stay on-line, the websites are “now not functioning” and can’t be used to launch assaults.

The U.Ok.’s NCA introduced that it has additionally arrested an 18-year-old man in Devon, who’s suspected of being an administrator of one of many seized websites. The NCA added that buyer information from the entire DDoS booter websites was obtained and will probably be analyzed by regulation enforcement.

“Admins and customers primarily based within the UK will probably be visited by the Nationwide Crime Company or police within the coming months,” the NCA warned.

Up to date with remarks from the Justice Division.