Feds charge alleged 'Blackshades' hackers

Federal prosecutors Monday announced charges against alleged computer hackers linked to an international group called Blackshades that trafficked in malicious software enabling attackers to gain secret control of more than half a million computers worldwide.

Five individuals were accused in court charging documents released by Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in New York City.

An affidavit by FBI Special Agent Samad Shahrani filed with the charges alleged that Blackshades has been in operation since at least 2010 and "distributed malicious software to thousands of cybercriminals throughout the world."

The alleged group's program of choice was the Blackshades Remote Access Tool — or RAT — which Shahrani's affidavit described as a "sophisticated piece of malware that enabled cybercriminals to remotely and surreptitiously gain control of a victim's computer."

After installing the RAT on an unsuspecting victim's computer, an attacker could "access and view documents, photographs and other files...record all of the keystrokes entered...steal the passwords to the victim's online accounts and even activate the victim's Web camera to spy on the victim," Shahrani wrote.

The investigation showed that the RAT has been purchased by at least several thousand users in more than 100 countries, the FBI affidavit alleged. Police worldwide said they had recently arrested 97 people in 16 countries suspected of using or distributing the malicious software called Blackshades.

Bharara described the technology as "inexpensive and simple to use," but called its invasiveness "breathtaking."

"As today's case makes clear, we now live in a world where, for just $40, a cybercriminal halfway across the globe can – with just a click of a mouse – unleash a RAT that can spread a computer plague not only on someone's property, but also on their privacy and most personal spaces," said Bharara.

The suspects accused in the case include:

• Alex Yucel, indicted on charges of! conspiracy to commit computer hacking, distribution of malicious software and conspiracy to commit access device fraud.

• Brendan Johnson, charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to commit computer hacking and transmission of malware.

• Kyle Fedorek, charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to commit computer hacking, access device fraud and computer hacking.

• Marlen Rippa, charged in a federal complaint with conspiracy to commit computer hacking and computer hacking.

• Michael Hogue, charged in a federal information with conspiracy to commit computer hacking and distribution of malware. Court filings show Hogue, a student at the University of Arizona, has pleaded guilty to the allegations. He was arrested in Arizona last June, the filings show.