DOGE Employee ‘Big Balls’ Discovered Offering Technical Assistance to Cybercriminal Organization
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Brief Overview
- Edward Coristine, a prominent member of Elon Musk’s DOGE Service team, has been associated with a cybercrime organization.
- Known by the nickname “Big Balls,” Coristine is accused of providing technological assistance to a group termed “EGodly.”
- EGodly is recognized for engaging in cybercrimes, including data theft, hijacking phone numbers, and cyberstalking an FBI official.
- His enterprise, DiamondCDN, is said to have delivered security solutions to EGodly.
- Coristine serves in a senior advisory capacity at the US State Department and CISA.
- The US government has yet to weigh in on his connection to EGodly.
- Experts express worries regarding his access to government networks due to his previous associations.
Who is Edward Coristine?
Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old technology enthusiast, has garnered attention within Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service. His online persona “Big Balls” achieved a level of fame, partly thanks to Musk’s support on the social media platform X. However, recent probes into his background raise significant security fears due to past ties with cybercriminals.
Coristine’s Alleged Links to Cybercrime
According to reports, while still a high school student in 2022, Coristine ran a firm called DiamondCDN, which provided network security solutions. Cybersecurity firms reviewing digital records suggest that DiamondCDN offered services to EGodly, a group notorious for hacking, data breaches, and cyber harassment.
What is EGodly?
EGodly is a cybercriminal organization infamous for compromising phone numbers, unlawfully accessing law enforcement email accounts, and participating in cryptocurrency theft. The group has also been associated with swatting incidents, where false emergency claims lead to armed police raids on innocent individuals.
Coristine’s Association with EGodly
Data from online repositories indicate that from October 2022 to June 2023, EGodly’s website, dataleak.fun, was hosted on servers associated with DiamondCDN. Additionally, a post from EGodly’s Telegram channel in February 2023 explicitly thanked DiamondCDN for its contributions, underscoring the firm’s role in offering security and caching solutions.
Concerns About Government Security
Despite his alleged links to cybercriminals, Coristine has gained considerable access to US government networks. He is officially recognized as a senior adviser at the US State Department and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). Given these positions, cybersecurity experts are questioning the potential security risks posed by his background.
Government Inaction and Expert Alarm
Neither the US State Department nor CISA has issued statements regarding Coristine’s association with EGodly. However, cybersecurity specialists argue that his recent connections to a cybercrime network should raise suspicion. Nitin Natarajan, a former deputy director of CISA, voiced concerns about granting access to someone with a history of aiding cybercriminals to sensitive government systems.
Conclusion
Edward Coristine, a notable contributor to Elon Musk’s DOGE team, is facing scrutiny for allegedly providing technological support to a cybercrime group while managing his company, DiamondCDN. His purported past links to EGodly, involved in hacking and harassment activities, have caused alarm among cybersecurity experts, particularly in light of his advisory positions within US government agencies. Although officials have chosen to remain silent, experts caution that his access to crucial systems could entail serious risks.
Questions and Answers
Q: Who is Edward Coristine?
A:
Edward Coristine is a 19-year-old technologist affiliated with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Service. He has gained recognition through Musk’s promotions on social media and currently holds advisory positions within US government agencies.
Q: What is DiamondCDN?
A:
DiamondCDN was a venture established by Coristine that delivered network security expertise, including DDoS mitigation and caching solutions. It was operational from 2022 to 2023.
Q: What is EGodly?
A:
EGodly is a cybercriminal entity noted for seizing phone numbers, breaching law enforcement email accounts, and conducting cryptocurrency theft. The group is also implicated in harassment and swatting events.
Q: How was Coristine associated with EGodly?
A:
Coristine’s firm, DiamondCDN, is alleged to have provided security and hosting services to EGodly. Digital records indicate that EGodly’s website was connected to DiamondCDN’s infrastructure.
Q: Why does this matter?
A:
Coristine holds advisory positions in US government cybersecurity bodies. His purported past ties to cybercriminals raise alarms about his suitability for accessing sensitive government networks.
Q: Has there been a government reaction?
A:
Neither the US State Department nor CISA has addressed Coristine’s connections to EGodly. Experts view his history as a potential security threat.
Q: What will happen next?
A:
It remains uncertain if the US government will respond to these issues. Cybersecurity experts are likely to continue tracking Coristine’s involvement and impact on government networks.
