Japanese authorities target websites selling phishing tools used to mastermind scams

As Japan grapples with a spate of data breaches, authorities are now targeting websites that sell tools used to carry out phishing scams. The National Police Agency said earlier this week that it had shut down dozens of websites offering tools for phishing attacks – where scammers impersonate trusted institutions to obtain sensitive information like credit card details. The NPA’s Cyber Investigation Division, in its first collaboration with Microsoft and other organizations, said Wednesday that it took down 34 website domains selling phishing tools between Oct. 8 and Oct. 14 after an American court order.