A joint international law enforcement operation has dismantled a botnet comprising hacked internet-connected devices, notably routers. The operation, dubbed “Operation Moonlander”, resulted in the seizure of two services used by cybercriminals and the indictment of four individuals linked to the hacking activities.
Key Points
- The FBI and Dutch National Police collaborated to shut down Anyproxy and 5Socks, two services providing access to a botnet.
- Four individuals have been indicting for operating the botnet: three Russians and one Kazakhstani national.
- The botnet exploited older models of wireless routers with known vulnerabilities, compromising thousands of devices globally.
- These services allegedly marketed themselves as legitimate proxy networks while profiting from selling access to compromised devices.
- Authorities estimate illicit earnings from the botnet exceeded $46 million.
Why should I read this?
If you’re at all interested in cybersecurity or the ongoing battle against cyber crime, this article is a must-read! The FBI and Dutch authorities’ successful takedown of a massive botnet shows just how serious they are about combating online crime. Plus, it sheds light on the vulnerabilities of our everyday internet devices, making it relevant for anyone with a Wi-Fi connection.