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US And European Authorities Shut Down Major Cybercrime Forum

Overview

U.S. and European law enforcement agencies have seized the database of LeakBase, a forum used to trade stolen passwords, hacking tools, and sensitive financial data. Authorities say the platform functioned as an online marketplace for compromised information linked to cybercrime operations. The action forms part of a broader international effort aimed at disrupting digital platforms that distribute stolen credentials and financial records.

Operational Footprint And Impact

Launched in 2021, LeakBase accumulated more than 142,000 registered users and over 215,000 messages. The platform operated as a repository for illicit data, including stolen account credentials, credit card details, and banking information. Investigators said the forum contained hundreds of millions of compromised records. Such data is frequently used in identity theft schemes, financial fraud, and unauthorized account access.

Coordinated Global Action

The investigation involved coordinated operations by international law enforcement agencies. Authorities carried out roughly 100 enforcement actions across multiple jurisdictions. Investigators focused on the 37 most active users of the platform. The operation resulted in more than 13 arrests, searches of several locations, and the questioning of 33 suspects. Agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation also redirected the forum’s domain to government-controlled servers, making the LeakBase platform inaccessible.

Ongoing Risks And Future Implications

Law enforcement officials note that forums such as LeakBase remain a persistent feature of the cybercrime ecosystem. Stolen credentials and financial data traded on these platforms often circulate across multiple underground marketplaces. Authorities say continued international cooperation will be essential to disrupt networks that support large-scale cybercrime operations.

Preservation Of Evidence

Although the forum has been taken offline, a seizure notice now displayed on LeakBase’s website confirms that its contents have been preserved as evidence. Investigators retained the platform’s databases, including private messages and IP address logs, which may support ongoing investigations into individuals connected to the forum.

Passkeys Are The Gold Standard For Account Security. So Why Don’t More Major Apps Offer Them?

Passkeys are increasingly being promoted as one of the most effective ways to protect online accounts. By reducing reliance on passwords, they help prevent phishing attacks, simplify sign-ins and strengthen account security. Despite those advantages, however, many major digital platforms have yet to adopt the technology.

A Security Upgrade Still Missing At Scale

That gap is the focus of whynopasskeys.com, a new site created by security researcher Scott Helme to highlight companies that have not yet enabled passkeys for their users. The site tracks major consumer brands that continue to rely on older login methods even as passkeys become the industry standard.

Among the services still without passkey support are Instagram, Netflix and Spotify, according to the site’s data.

Why Passkeys Matter

Unlike traditional passwords, passkeys are generated on a user’s device and linked both to that device and to a specific website or application. Authentication can be completed through biometrics such as Face ID or Touch ID, a hardware security key or a password manager.

Because users do not need to create or remember passwords, opportunities for credential theft, phishing attacks and password reuse are significantly reduced. In most cases, gaining access to an account would require direct access to the user’s device.

Public Accountability As A Pressure Tactic

In a blog post explaining the project, Helme said the goal is to create pressure by making the absence of passkey support visible. “A list is a surprisingly effective motivator. Nobody wants to be on the list,” he wrote.

That approach has already worked elsewhere in cybersecurity: when businesses are publicly compared against peers on basic protections, they often move faster to close the gap. In this case, the list is intended to push platforms to give users a stronger and simpler login option.

The Companies Moving Faster

Many large technology companies have already adopted passkeys, including Apple, Google and Microsoft, reflecting the technology’s growing role in account security.

Implementation, however, remains uneven. Instagram users can currently access passkeys only when their account is linked to a Facebook account that already has passkey support enabled, highlighting differences in adoption even within the same company.

The Bigger Business Question

Meta has not publicly explained why passkeys are available on some of its platforms, including Facebook and WhatsApp, but not fully across Instagram.

Debate within the industry is no longer centred on whether passkeys work, but on how quickly companies are willing to deploy them. As phishing, credential theft and account fraud remain persistent cybersecurity challenges, passkeys are increasingly being viewed not as an optional feature but as an emerging security standard.

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