In a major win against cybercrime, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) seized several domain names tied to Genesis Market, one of the most popular online stores for stolen credentials.
The Genesis Market takedown was part of a law enforcement operation dubbed ‘Operation Cookie Monster’.
The Genesis Market provided unauthorized access to millions of computers that had fallen prey to harmful software by vending pilfered passwords and other sensitive data.
The perpetrators behind Genesis Market, who are yet to be identified, deployed malware that could stealthily extract login credentials and fingerprint information, enabling them to pose as legitimate users and gain entry to restricted services.
Threat actors behind Genesis Market offered users downloadable browser plug-ins that could fetch login information and fingerprints associated with a hacked account, allowing them to impersonate the original user’s online identity effortlessly.
The confiscation order bears the emblems of multiple law enforcement agencies representing a range of nations, such as Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
FBI seizes Genesis Market
Genesis Market came into existence in 2017 and soon became the leading virtual store for purchasing account logins, device fingerprints, and cookies linked with various online services.
The platform’s user base multiplied manifold, and by 2020, it had gained popularity among cybercriminals.
Depending on the type of account, buyers could pay less than $10 to access an account for a specific period. .
To locate compromised systems, customers could choose from several search options, such as Internet addresses or domain names linked to stolen credentials.
As a part of Operation Cookie Monster, the FBI raid took over the Genesis Market’s domains. However, the masterminds behind the illegal marketplace remain elusive. The FBI aims to trace any individuals who may have interacted with them.
The cybercriminal world has taken a major hit following the FBI’s action against Genesis Market.
Genesis Market was a one-stop-shop for anyone looking to purchase stolen consumer or corporate account identities.
Although the FBI is yet to release an official statement following the takedown, the Genesis Market domains now display a banner announcing the seizure warrant executed by the bureau.