The FBI and police in several countries have arrested more than 100 people and conducted hundreds of searches in a global crackdown on hackers linked to “Blackshades,” a malicious software program that is one of the most popular tools used by cyber criminals to hijack computers. The malware has been dubbed “creepware” by some; it can be used to remotely turn on webcams, access hard drives and capture keystrokes to steal passwords.
Last year, the software, which can sell for as little as $40, was used to spy on and extort Miss Teen USA winner Cassidy Wolf.