14 DAY TRIAL // It's been a tough end of the year for console gamers, as Sony and Microsoft's online services were under attack for almost 24 hours on Christmas day.
The Xbox Live services were up and running once again less than a day after the DDoS attacks executed by a group called Lizard Squad ended, but PlayStation Network suffered from interruptions for a few more days.
In a few apparitions after the attacks, a few members of the group claimed they have attacked Sony and Microsoft services to show the fragility of the security systems protecting PSN and Xbox Live.
Later on, some admitted that these attacks were only a marketing scheme meant to popularize their new product called Lizard Stresser, which is a tool that would allow anyone to execute DDoS attacks on various servers.
A few members of Lizard Squad, the group that took credit for the DDoS (distributed denial-of service) attacks against PlayStation Network and Xbox Live, have been exposed a few days later by independent investigative journalist Brian Krebs.
Well, it looks like Krebs was not the only one that managed to identify some of the Lizard Squad members who took down PlayStation Network and Xbox Live services.
The authorities have another presumed member of Lizard Squad under the scope
The 22-year old Vinnie Omari was arrested on December 30 in connection with the attacks against Sony and Microsoft's online services.
The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit in the UK already issued a press release confirming the arrest and Kreb has even published a police bail notice that shows Vinnie Omari has been released on bail.
“The South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU) has arrested a 22-year-old man from Twickenham on suspicion of fraud by false representation and Computer Misuse Act offences.
The arrest yesterday (30/12) is in connection with an ongoing investigation regarding cyber fraud offences which took place between 2013 and August 2014, during which time victims reported funds being stolen from their PayPal accounts. The arrested man was released on bail until 10 March.”
But that is not all, as FBI is also investigating another presumably exposed member of the Lizard Squad known as “ryan.” Julius Kivimäki, a Finnish teenager, may be next on the list of arrests related to the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live services.
Even though some or all members of Lizard Squad get arrested eventually, customers' trust in Sony and Microsoft took quite a blow following these DDoS attacks.
It remains to be seen how the companies will compensate the time console owners haven't been able to use the services during Christmas and the few days after that.
