Six teens arrested over cyber attacks using service that previously targeted Xbox

Six teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of launching cyber attacks during an operation to crack down of users of a well-known hacking tool that had previously targeted Xbox and PlayStation.

The male suspects, whose ages range from 15 to 18, are believed to have targeted a national newspaper, a school, gaming companies and a number of online retailers.

They used a service known as Lizard Stresser that became famous in the hacking community after a group called Lizard Squad launched cyber attacks on Sony PlayStation and Xbox gaming services and knocked them offline last Christmas.

The arrests were part of an operation involving the National Crime Agency and officers from several police forces.

Tony Adams, senior Operations Manager at the NCA's National Cyber Crime Unit, warned of the damaging effects services such as Lizard Stresser can have.

By paying a comparatively small fee, tools like Lizard Stresser can cripple businesses financially and deprive people of access to important information and public services.

– TONY ADAMS, NCA

None of the six teenagers arrested are thought to be members of Lizard Squad.

All six suspects have been bailed.