Skip to main content

Lizard Squad chased by police, humbled by fellow hackers

The dubious but solid reputation and very integrity of infamous black hat hacking clique Lizard Squad hangs by a thread, according to fresh online reports. Several arrests have been made between late December and last week in relation to denial-of-service attacks on both Sony and Microsoft, and most ironically, the cybercrime ring has lost the privacy of its entire client database to “fellow” hackers.

It sounds like the malicious high-tech reptiles made quite a number of coding-proficient enemies, and slithering their way out of this pickle may prove trickier than all recent DDoS intrusions.

Recommended Videos

Their website takedown tool-for-hire looks DOA, and this comes after a massive leak of Lizard Stresser’s customer list. This includes the unprotected usernames and passwords of over 14,000 registered clients, out of which only a few hundred seem to have actually paid for and “enjoyed” the service.

Remember, we’re talking a decidedly illegal utility here, designed to bring down a domain of choice for up to twenty days in exchange for as little as $6. Questions about how efficient the “stresser” did its job have hovered around it since day one, but we’re guessing no one will bother to find out now.

If you can’t trust the Lizard Squad to defend themselves from external raids, and protect your data, how can you trust them to deliver on the high and mighty DDoS promises?

As far as their legal troubles go, they’re merely beginning and likely set to escalate. In addition to the recent booking made in the UK, two other individuals believed to be part of the squad were picked up. One in the Albion as well, and the second in Finland.

It’s unclear whether they’re still in custody, and the silence of the authorities isn’t particularly encouraging. But the walls are closing in on the Internet vandals that ruined Christmas for gamers. Will they vanish, or will they rejuvenate themselves with new attacks?

Image credit: Matt Cornish/Shutterstock

Adrian Diaconescu
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Adrian is a mobile aficionado since the days of the Nokia 3310, and a PC enthusiast since Windows 98. Later, he discovered…
SpaceX’s Starlink rival is about to launch more internet satellites — here’s how to watch
Amazon's KA-01 mission for Project Kuiper gets underway from the Space Coast.

[UPDATE: A technical issue with the rocket has caused the launch to be postponed. We'll update this article with the new launch schedule just as soon as it becomes available.]

Amazon is preparing to launch its second batch of Project Kuiper internet satellites to orbit as it seeks to build out a constellation to take on SpaceX’s Starlink service.

Read more
Weird Mac mini issue prompts Apple to take action
A top-down view of the Mac Mini.

Following multiple reports of specific Mac mini computers failing to power on, Apple has launched a global repair program to sort the problem out.

Apple launched the  M2 Mac mini in January 2023, though the affected units were made between June 16 and November 23 of 2024, according to a notice about the repair program that was first spotted by MacRumors.

Read more
Don’t miss this chance to buy a MacBook Air at $200 off
The MacBook Air on a table in front of a window.

For those who have always wanted to get one of Apple's MacBooks but can't stomach the price tag, here's your chance to buy one for a relatively affordable price. Best Buy has slashed the price of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M3 to only $699, for savings of $200 on its sticker price of $899. You need to act fast though, as there's always high demand for MacBook deals. The stocks that are up for sale may already be gone as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the 13-inch Apple MacBook Air M3

Read more