Underground Cybercriminal Forums Face Setback But May Resurface In New Forms:  IPS officer Brijesh Singh

MUMBAI: Law enforcement agencies have recently carried out a crackdown on underground cybercriminal forums such as Genesis and Breached. These forums are known for facilitating the sale of stolen data, trading of hacking tools, recruitment for cybercrime operations, and sharing of techniques and strategies for conducting cyberattacks.

However, a recent crackdown by law enforcement agencies has brought some of these platforms to their knees and raised questions about their future and the challenges of combating cybercrime.

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To shed light on these issues, The420.in interviewed senior IPS officer Brijesh Singh, who has extensive experience in cybercrime investigations and operations. Brijesh Singh is also the Principal Secretary to the Maharashtra Chief Minister’s Office. Here are some highlights of the conversation:

–              What do you think is the future of such platforms after the crackdown? Do you think they will resurface in some other form?

Brijesh Singh: The recent crackdown on underground cybercriminal forums like Genesis and Breached has raised questions about the future of such platforms and their impact on users and law enforcement agencies. While the crackdown may temporarily disrupt the operations of these forums, it is likely that similar platforms will resurface in some form as cybercriminals continue to find new ways to communicate, share tools, and conduct illicit activities.

–              From a law enforcement point of view, how effective do you think this crackdown has been in curbing cybercriminal activities?

Brijesh Singh: The crackdown on underground cybercriminal forums highlights the need for continuous vigilance and collaboration between law enforcement agencies, technology companies, and individuals and organizations to prevent and combat cybercrime. While the future of such platforms remains uncertain, the potential risks and consequences of cybercrime underscore the importance of cybersecurity and internet safety for all.

–              What measures do you think law enforcement agencies should take to prevent such underground forums from emerging again in the future?

Brijesh Singh: Law enforcement agencies face challenges in monitoring and infiltrating these forums due to their decentralized and encrypted nature, as well as the technical expertise and resources required. However, they can collaborate with international counterparts, invest in advanced technology and human resources, and work with technology companies to identify and disrupt platforms used for cybercrime.

–              In your opinion, what are the most common types of cybercriminal activities that are carried out on underground forums like Genesis and Breached?

Brijesh Singh: The most common types of activities on these forums include the sale of stolen data, trading of hacking tools, recruitment for cybercrime operations, and sharing of techniques and strategies for conducting cyberattacks. Cybercriminals may respond to the crackdown by developing new communication methods, using decentralized platforms, and employing more sophisticated security measures to evade law enforcement.

Examples of cybercriminal activities on these forums include the sale of stolen data, such as login credentials and personal information, to be used in identity theft and fraud schemes. Trading of hacking tools, exploits, and malware can be used to gain unauthorized access to computer systems and networks, steal sensitive information, or launch cyberattacks. Recruitment for cybercrime operations can involve money mules and botnet operators, who are responsible for laundering money and conducting distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, respectively. Sharing of techniques and strategies for conducting cyberattacks can lead to the development of new and more sophisticated methods for exploiting vulnerabilities and bypassing security measures.

–              How can individuals and organizations protect themselves from becoming victims of cybercrime?

Brijesh Singh: Individuals and organizations can protect themselves from cybercrime by implementing robust cybersecurity measures, adopting strong password policies and multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits and vulnerability assessments, providing cybersecurity training and awareness programs for employees, and developing and practicing incident response plans for addressing cyberattacks.

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