U.K.’s National Crime Agency have arrested six teenagers associated with the Lizard Squad hacking group that is responsible for taking down both the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live during the holidays last year (and at some point this year).
This isn't the first time someone associated with Lizard Squad has been arrested, two members of Lizard Squad were arrested in relation to various cyber-crimes after the holiday DDoS attacks in the UK and Finland, one of which got away with his actions with just a two year probation.
Unfortunately, the six teens that were arrested may not be members of the hacking group, but individuals that purchased Lizard Stresser, the software made available by Lizard Squad that allows individuals to launch DDoS attacks. Tony Adams, the head of investigations for the National Cyber Crime Unit noted that the arrest of the 15 to 18-year olds will serve as a lesson for the youngsters.
“One of our key priorities is to engage with those on the fringes of cyber criminality, to help them understand the consequences of cyber crime and how they can channel their abilities into productive and lucrative legitimate careers.”
The NCA will be looking into 50 addresses associated with purchasing Lizard Stresser, but none of the individuals are suspected of being at fault for the attacks. Nearly a third of the individuals are under the age of 20, which helps with the NCA's push to curb cyber crimes in the youth.
[Variety]
