French prosecutors confirm arrest of suspected ZeroBytes hacker behind tax cyberattack
French prosecutors arrested an 18-year-old suspected ZeroBytes member tied to a tax authority breach exposing data of 600,000 people.
French authorities arrested an 18-year-old, alias 'ChatNoir,' in the Paris region on Aug. 18 and placed him in pretrial detention two days later over ZeroBytes attacks; a second suspect under 16 was arrested Aug. 26 and released. ZeroBytes claimed attacks on French government agencies, schools and companies starting July 16, including the DGFiP tax authority, which disclosed an August breach affecting data of more than 600,000 people. The suspect was previously under formal investigation for the 2024 Free telecom breach affecting over 19 million customers and for X account takeovers of BFM-TV and RMC linked to the Epsilon collective. Charged offenses carry up to 10 years in prison and a 300,000-euro fine.
US offers $10 million for info on Iranian allegedly behind cyberattacks on critical infrastructure
State Department offers $10M reward for IRGC Cyber-Electronic Command chief Amir Yaryab over critical infrastructure cyberattacks across US, Europe, and Middle East.
The U.S. State Department posted a $10 million reward for information on senior Iranian official Amir Yaryab, who allegedly leads the IRGC's Cyber-Electronic Command (CEC) and directs hacking groups including CyberAv3ngers, Dadeh Afzar Arman (DAA), and Mehrsam Andisheh Saz Nik (MASN). These groups used malware to target defense, news, shipping, travel, energy, financial, and telecommunications sectors in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. The reward follows accusations of renewed Iranian attacks on water utilities, with over 100 entities breached across at least 12 US states since late July, and comes amid broader US-Iran tensions.
Finland appeals court revives case against Eagle S Officers over cable breaks
Finnish appeals court ruled Finland can prosecute Eagle S officers for 2024 Baltic Sea cable breaks, reviving the case and EUR 105M damages claims.
The Helsinki Court of Appeal ruled Finland has jurisdiction to prosecute three senior officers of the Eagle S, the Russia-linked tanker that severed multiple subsea cables on December 25, 2024, overturning a district court dismissal. The court found the crew's conduct after Finnish authorities made contact was not a 'maritime accident' under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, noting the ship dragged its anchor roughly 90 kilometers and cut four more cables. Owners of the Estlink 2 power cable, Fingrid and Elering, are seeking about EUR 105 million ($122 million), and the ruling will guide the related Fitburg anchor-dragging case. The decision can be appealed to Finland's Supreme Court until October 26, 2026.