Minors lead Dhiraagu DDoS attacks

-Interpol Hijack Crime Centre assisted the investigation: Police
Source Haveeru Online 

Manager marketing and Communication Mohamed Mirshan reserving international award for Mobile Zakaath Application 
 

Maldives Police Service has arrested four suspects, including three minors, in the investigation of the continuous Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks to the internet service provided by local telecom giant Dhiraagu.

At a press conference held at Inskandaru Koshi this afternoon, Property Crime Unit Head, Chief Inspector Mohamed Jamsheed said the suspects arrested from capital Male and Addu atoll include a 16-year-old, two 17-year-olds and a 28-year-old man.

Police, however, released the three minors, who were caught red handed with the equipments used for the attack, as they gave full cooperation in the interrogation. The three will be brought back into custody if necessary, the police added.

A police spokesperson said Interpol Hijack Crime Centre assisted the investigation, which succeeded through technological means.

One of the 17-year-olds was arrested from Addu atoll Maradoo-Feydhoo.

Jamsheed noted that the police under a warrant searched
suspected places including three houses in Maradoo-Feydhoo, Feydhoo and Male.

“Police went to the three houses at the same time. In our search of the houses, especially the house in Addu atoll Maradoo-Feydhoo, we brought a person who was carrying out the attack into custody,” he said.

“We confiscated some equipments used for the attack from the house that we searched in Male. We were also able to seize some relevant equipment from the house in Maradoo-Feydhoo.”

Jamsheed said police have not received information about a foreign party’s involvement in the attack. The attack will affect Dhiraagu, Maldives economy and the tourism industry, he added.

A group of locals self identified as “MvLeaks” and “MvDDoS” on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook has taken the responsibility for the DDoS attacks which they described as a “happy new year” message to Dhiraagu.

The attackers warned of continuous attacks until Dhiraagu lowers internet tariff rates and increase internet speed.

Dhiraagu bill payment was also interrupted by the attacks. Phone services were disconnected on Thursday due to pending payment, but Dhiraagu reconnected the services after the attack was discovered. The due date was extended until the fifth of this month.