The FBI’s takedown of Genesis Market is a significant blow to the cybercriminal underground, as the marketplace was a notorious hub for buying and selling stolen logins, cookies, and browser fingerprints. The operation, dubbed “Operation Cookie Monster,” involved international cooperation among law enforcement agencies from multiple countries, and resulted in the arrest of approximately 120 individuals worldwide, including 19 in the UK.
According to the Justice Department, the seizure of Genesis Market is a significant step in combatting ransomware attacks, as the marketplace was a key enabler for such cybercrimes. Ransomware attacks have been on the rise in recent years, with hackers often using stolen logins and credentials to gain unauthorized access to systems and encrypting data for ransom.
Genesis Market, which was founded in March 2018, allowed hackers to not only purchase stolen logins, but also browser fingerprints and cookies, which could be used to impersonate web browsers and gain access to accounts without needing passwords or two-factor authentication tokens. This made it a lucrative resource for cybercriminals seeking up-to-date and valuable data from victims.
The takedown of Genesis Market comes after it was linked to various high-profile cybercrime incidents, including the 2021 hack of gaming giant EA, where the intruders claimed to have used a bot purchased from Genesis to hijack a Slack account at the company.
The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies from different countries in taking down Genesis Market highlight the global nature of cybercrime and the need for international cooperation to combat it. The seizure of this major online marketplace for stolen logins is a significant step in disrupting cybercriminal networks and sending a strong message that such illegal activities will not be tolerated.
