Six Teenagers Arrested In UK For Alleged Cyberattacks

Law enforcement officials in the United Kingdom have arrested half a dozen teenagers who are said to have used a tool from Lizard Squad to carry out cyberattacks against online retailers, a school, a newspaper, and more. The teenagers, who range in age from 15 to 18, have been released on bail; the collective allegedly used Bitcoin to purchase the Lizard Stresser tool in a bid for anonymity, but none are part of Lizard Squad. The arrests were made as part of a larger operation codenamed "Vivarium".

The information comes from The Guardian, which reports that the National Crime Agency (NCA) carried out the operation. The teenagers reportedly used the Lizard Stresser tool to launch denial of service attacks against several online retailers that weren't named, as well as an unnamed national newspaper, "gaming companies", and a school.

The teenagers have not been named, but are said to have resided in various cities in the UK, and ranged in age from 15 to 18. Another pair of unnamed 18 year olds were reportedly "interviewed under caution". Others have been arrested in the past for using Lizard Squads' tool and others like them.

The NCA is working to educate Internet users — particularly those who may be young and not terribly wise — about the dangers and potential ramifications that result from taking part in such activities.

Said the NCA's Tony Adams in a statement to the Guardian:

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.

SOURCE: The Guardian