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UK arrest made as European police raid homes over malware | UK arrest made as European police raid homes over malware |
(34 minutes later) | |
British police have arrested a 28-year-old man following an international series of raids over smartphone malware called DroidJack. | British police have arrested a 28-year-old man following an international series of raids over smartphone malware called DroidJack. |
The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed the arrest after it was reported that raids took place in five European countries and the US. | The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) confirmed the arrest after it was reported that raids took place in five European countries and the US. |
DroidJack allows criminals to spy on smartphone data traffic, eavesdrop on conversations and hijack the camera. | DroidJack allows criminals to spy on smartphone data traffic, eavesdrop on conversations and hijack the camera. |
No further arrests have yet been reported. | No further arrests have yet been reported. |
"I can confirm that the NCA arrested a 28-year-old male from Carlisle under suspicion of computer misuse act offences," an NCA spokesman told the BBC. | "I can confirm that the NCA arrested a 28-year-old male from Carlisle under suspicion of computer misuse act offences," an NCA spokesman told the BBC. |
The spokesman said the arrest was made in connection with the international DroidJack operation and added that the suspect has been bailed for six months. | The spokesman said the arrest was made in connection with the international DroidJack operation and added that the suspect has been bailed for six months. |
Officers in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland raided several properties connected to suspected users of malware known as DroidJack. | Officers in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium and Switzerland raided several properties connected to suspected users of malware known as DroidJack. |
The searches were reported by the AFP and Reuters news agencies while Europol also say that raids were conducted in the United States. | The searches were reported by the AFP and Reuters news agencies while Europol also say that raids were conducted in the United States. |
A total of 13 homes were raided in Germany according to the local prosecutor's office, while news agencies also reported a single raid in Switzerland. | A total of 13 homes were raided in Germany according to the local prosecutor's office, while news agencies also reported a single raid in Switzerland. |
The German suspects were aged between 19 and 51. | The German suspects were aged between 19 and 51. |
'Every move' tracked | 'Every move' tracked |
DroidJack is a remote access trojan or "Rat", which is openly sold online for $210 (£137), and affects Android devices only. | DroidJack is a remote access trojan or "Rat", which is openly sold online for $210 (£137), and affects Android devices only. |
"It can track a user's every move without their knowledge," explained Peter Coogan, principal security response manager at Symantec. | "It can track a user's every move without their knowledge," explained Peter Coogan, principal security response manager at Symantec. |
"There was a documented case back in 2014, I think, where it was being sent out via spam email and pretending to be a bank. It is likely at that time that they were trying to steal banking details off the phone," he told the BBC. | |
Mr Coogan added that he has tracked discussion of the malware on underground hacking forums where DroidJack has been marketed. | Mr Coogan added that he has tracked discussion of the malware on underground hacking forums where DroidJack has been marketed. |
"More people will have purchased it and are probably using it," he said. | "More people will have purchased it and are probably using it," he said. |