Brazilian authorities have apprehended a 33-year-old man suspected of being the infamous hacker known as USDoD, responsible for several high-profile data breaches including the FBI's InfraGard program and National Public Data.
The arrest marks a significant development in the pursuit of one of the most prolific cybercriminals in recent years. USDoD, whose real name is reportedly Luan BG from Minas Gerais, Brazil, gained notoriety for his audacious attacks on sensitive government and corporate databases.
Key highlights of USDoD's alleged activities include:
- Infiltrating the FBI's InfraGard program in 2022, leaking contact information for 80,000 members
- Breaching National Public Data, compromising Social Security numbers and personal information of a substantial portion of the U.S. population
- Hacking the Brazilian Federal Police database, exposing credentials of 659 officers
The hacker's methods often involved social engineering and exploiting basic security oversights. In the InfraGard breach, USDoD reportedly impersonated a CEO of a major U.S. financial company to gain access, highlighting vulnerabilities in the vetting process.
While USDoD had previously hinted at retirement, recent activity on hacking forums suggested otherwise. The arrest comes as a surprise to some in the cybersecurity community, as the hacker had been operating openly and even corresponding with journalists.
This case underscores the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and the global nature of digital crimes. As investigations continue, the arrest of USDoD may provide valuable insights into the world of high-level hacking and potentially lead to improved security measures in critical systems.
The FBI has not yet commented on the arrest, and it remains to be seen how this will impact ongoing investigations and potential legal proceedings both in Brazil and internationally.