Teen held over cyber attacks targeting US government

ATHENS, Greece — An 18-year-old has been arrested and accused of hacking into websites of the U.S. government and the international crime fighting agency Interpol, Greek police said Wednesday.

The two-year manhunt ended with the help of authorities in France and the United States, officials said. The investigation will examine whether the suspect had links to militants.

1. Only on msnbc.com
   1. 

      AP
      Updated 78 minutes ago 5/30/2012 1:15:38 PM +00:00 Campaign still playing out on GOP turf
   2. Was Flame virus that invaded Iran's computer networks made in USA?
   3. Updated 20 minutes ago 5/30/2012 2:13:28 PM +00:00 Suu Kyi receives ecstatic Thailand welcome
   4. Greek tragedy: Economic crisis sparks brain drain
   5. UK PM's ex-spin doctor held by cops in perjury case
   6. Updated 38 minutes ago 5/30/2012 1:55:34 PM +00:00 1.3 million veterans lack health coverage
   7. Updated 27 minutes ago 5/30/2012 2:06:29 PM +00:00 Report: Obama backs disputed definition of 'civilian'

In a raid on the suspect's house in greater Athens on Monday, police seized computers, flares, shotgun cartridges, a homemade incendiary device, 130 fake credit cards, and €7,850 ($11,500) and $300 (€205) in cash hidden in a hollowed-out book, police said in a statement.

The suspect, who was not further identified, was arrested there on charges of computer fraud, forgery, illegal violation of privacy, and illegal weapons possession.

According to ekathimerini.com, the suspect was known online as "Splitter."

The website reported that the suspect had a tattoo on his back reading: "Capitalism is opportunity and opportunity is freedom."

Police cybercrime and anti-terrorism divisions are involved in the investigation, which also will examine possible links between the suspect and local militant groups that have carried out bombings in the past, mostly targeting Greek banks and government agencies.

The alleged cyber attacks occurred in 2008 and 2009 against the U.S. and Interpol sites, with the suspect using botnets: networks of computers carrying malicious software unknown to the users.

The police statement did not identify the computer sites that were allegedly hacked into.