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| Blackshades: Arrests in computer malware probe | Blackshades: Arrests in computer malware probe |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Seventeen men in the UK have been arrested as part of a worldwide crackdown on computer crime. | Seventeen men in the UK have been arrested as part of a worldwide crackdown on computer crime. |
| The FBI-co-ordinated operation targeted the use of Blackshades software which can remotely control people's computers and webcams. The "malware" product was being sold online for less than £100. | The FBI-co-ordinated operation targeted the use of Blackshades software which can remotely control people's computers and webcams. The "malware" product was being sold online for less than £100. |
| The UK's National Crime Agency said 15 arrests took place in England and two men were held in Scotland. | The UK's National Crime Agency said 15 arrests took place in England and two men were held in Scotland. |
| Other people were held in countries including the US, France and Germany. | Other people were held in countries including the US, France and Germany. |
| The NCA said the inquiry focused on the developers and "prolific users" of Blackshades. | The NCA said the inquiry focused on the developers and "prolific users" of Blackshades. |
| It said investigators believe about 200,000 usernames and passwords of victims across the world may have been taken by UK users of Blackshades. | It said investigators believe about 200,000 usernames and passwords of victims across the world may have been taken by UK users of Blackshades. |
| The software typically infects computers when people click on external links on social networking and communication platforms that purport to lead to pictures, videos or other items of interest, said the NCA. | |
| Once installed, criminals can use the software to capture passwords or take pictures of computer users which may be used to blackmail them. | Once installed, criminals can use the software to capture passwords or take pictures of computer users which may be used to blackmail them. |
| The NCA's National Policing lead on e-crime, Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, said the operation "sends out a clear message to cyber criminals that we have the technology, capability and expertise to track them down". | The NCA's National Policing lead on e-crime, Deputy Chief Constable Peter Goodman, said the operation "sends out a clear message to cyber criminals that we have the technology, capability and expertise to track them down". |
| It said officers were to warn people who have downloaded the malware but not deployed it that they are now known to the agency. | It said officers were to warn people who have downloaded the malware but not deployed it that they are now known to the agency. |
| In total more than 300 properties were searched across the world and 1,000 data storage devices seized. | In total more than 300 properties were searched across the world and 1,000 data storage devices seized. |
| The arrests in the UK took place in Derbyshire; Birmingham; Halesowen; Wolverhampton; Newcastle-under-Lyme; Brixham, Devon; Andover, Hampshire; Ashford, Kent; Liverpool; Manchester; Warrington; London; St Andrews; Glasgow, and Leeds. | |
| Further arrests abroad took place in the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Austria, Estonia, Denmark, Canada, Chile, Croatia and Italy. |