Anonymous hacker group publishes data stolen from US police departments

Members of the groups posted a 7Gb file at the weekend containing credit card details, social security numbers and other data stolen from more than 70 police departments across the US.

The posted data also included the details of members of the public who had submitted tip-offs about crime to police. Many of those on the list had requested anonymity for fear of reprisals.

Last week, the hackers claimed they had stolen 10Gb of confidential data from the police websites.

The websites were reportedly hosted on the same server and included those of the shefiff's offices and local administrations in several counties.

Posting the data online, the hackers said they were acting in retaliation for the recent arrests of several members in the US and UK as part of a law enforcement crackdown on their activities, according to the Telegraph.

The hackers also said they hoped the disclosures would show the "inherently corrupt nature of law enforcement" as well disrupt and sabotage their ability to communicate.

An international investigation targeting Anonymous and LulzSec has already led to 16 arrests in the US, four in the Netherlands and nine arrests in the UK, including LulzSec members "Tflow" and "Topiary".

The most recent UK arrest was of Jake Davis, who has been released on bail after appearing at City of Westminster Magistrate's Court last week. Davis, alleged to be LulzSec's "Topiary", is to reappear in court on 30 August to face five charges related to computer hacking.
 

This story was first published by Computer Weekly

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