For $6, Buy Access To Hacked Government Server, On Underground Market

Software security firm Kaspersky Lab has exposed an underground trading platform that is selling access to compromised servers of governments, businesses and universities at a price starting as low as $6, reports Reuters. This marketplace, operating under the name xDedic, is run by a Russian speaking group and provides access to 70,000 servers from 173 countries hacked at some point without the owners’ knowledge.

Researchers say access to the computers are offered along with software designed to launch denial-of-service and spam campaign attacks on networks, break into online or retail payment systems and illegally produce Bitcoin. Also up for exploit are millions of stolen email credentials.

Access to government servers are reportedly sold from $7 onwards while $15 is charged for servers with high-capacity network connections. xDedic takes a 5 percent cut on all money put into trading accounts.

Kaspersky told Reuters it was alerted to this eBay for criminals by a European internet provider and has informed the national computer emergency response teams in several countries.

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