FBI Investigating Hacker Group Behind PSN/XBL Holiday DDoS Attack

The FBI has confirmed that they are investigating Lizard Squad, the hacker group that claimed to take down PSN and XBL over Christmas day.

This follows several interviews some Lizard Squad members provided with the media following the fallout of their hack. DDoS attacks are actually very simple, based on flooding a network with so much traffic that it closes up to actual users.

If you missed these interviews, LS essentially claimed to have pursued these DDoS attacks merely to point out how easy it is to take these networks down, with the hopes that Sony and MS would strengthen security measures. The same group took credit for doing the same thing last year, as well as in 2011.

* yawn * http://t.co/Dj79R0UJGs

— R.I.U. Lizard Squad (@LizardMafia) December 30, 2014

Zee, the LS member who opened himself to interview is not afraid of any repercussions, and seemingly, neither is LS itself. Zee has pointed out Finland’s laws are in his favor, protecting him from being extradited from the country both as a Finnish citizen and as a minor. He also believes he is partly protected by the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Zee does not allude to another possibility, which is the Finnish authorities going after him and his friends.  Still, at this point it is up to the FBI to determine the extent of LS’ culpability, and if Sony and MS can even pursue legal action against them.

Whether you agree that Sony and MS should adopt stronger security measures for their online services or not is independent of whether LS should be held accountable. How much of a case do you think can be taken against the hacker group? Are there other factors that haven’t come up in this case? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.