Lulz Security, commonly abbreviated as LulzSec, was a computer hacker group that claimed responsibility for several high profile attacks, including the compromise of user accounts from Sony Pictures in 2011. The group also claimed responsibility for taking the CIA website offline.Some security professionals have commented that LulzSec has drawn attention to insecure systems and the dangers of password reuse. It has gained attention due to its high profile targets and the sarcastic messages it has posted in the aftermath of its attacks. One of the founders of LulzSec was a computer security specialist who used the online moniker SABU. The man accused of being Sabu has helped law enforcement track down other members of the organization as part of a plea deal. At least four associates of LulzSec were arrested in March 2012 as part of this investigation. British authorities had previously announced the arrests of two teenagers they allege are LulzSec members T-flow and Topiary.
And now four LulzSec members were accused of launching attacks, appeared in a court room in London, Wednesday to be sentenced. Ryan Ackroyd, Jake Davis, Mustafa Al-Bassam, and Ryan Cleary have pleaded guilty for cyber crimes.
In 2011 they caused millions of dollars of damage to NHS, CIA, and U.S. Military websites, they stole personal information like emails, passwords, and credit card details belonging to millions of people.
They also carried out DDoS attacks on universities crashing the servers for large amounts of time. Ackroyd admitted to stealing information from Sony.
They used a botnet to do it, the botnet code was written by Clearly and the Courtroom said it may have carried around one million computers. The attacks led to personal information getting leaked. They even attacked the U.S. X Factor database.
Ackroyd was expected to stand trial at Southwark Crown Court in April, but changed his plea to a key charge the last minute. In the addition to the four hackers pleading guilty, Cleary had admitted to downloading pornography of babies and children.
It's clear from the evidence that they intended to achieve extensive national and international notoriety and publicity.", said Prosecutor Sandip Patel.