The FBI has taken swift action by seizing the domains for the notorious hacking forums Cracked.io and Nulled.to, both well-known for their involvement in cybercrime activities such as password theft, cracking, and credential stuffing attacks. The forums, although hosting some discussions on ethical hacking, predominantly served as a hub for illegal online activities.
These platforms were not only a breeding ground for cybercriminals but also a repository for software cracks, hacking tools, and illicit content like stolen databases and marketplace for “combo lists” containing compromised credentials. Users attempting to access these sites are now greeted with error messages indicating that the domains have been seized by the FBI.
The FBI did not hesitate to take action, swiftly changing the name servers of the seized domains to ns1.fbi.seized.gov and ns2.fbi.seized.gov, effectively removing them from Cloudflare’s control. Cracked.io’s staff attempted to downplay the situation by blaming a data center issue for the ongoing service disruption, stating that services will remain offline until the issue is resolved.
In addition to Cracked.io and Nulled.to, the FBI also targeted other platforms enabling criminal activities. The domains for MySellIX, SellIX, and StarkRDP were seized, platforms used by threat actors to sell stolen data, software keys, compromised accounts, and facilitate credential stuffing attacks. When questioned about these latest developments, an FBI spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.
While the FBI has not provided additional details on the seizures, it is evident that their focus is on cracking down on platforms facilitating credential stuffing and the sale of stolen account credentials. This targeted approach sends a clear message to cybercriminals that illegal activities will not go unpunished.
The swift and decisive action by the FBI serves as a warning to those engaging in illicit online activities, emphasizing that law enforcement agencies are actively monitoring and taking steps to combat cybercrime. By dismantling these hubs of illegal activities, the FBI is demonstrating its commitment to ensuring a safer online environment for all users.