Dutch Police Disrupt Botnet They Say Infected 17 Million Devices
Summary
Dutch police say they disrupted a botnet of 17 million devices after a researcher reported it. Authorities identified 200 control servers; several were seized, and the hosting provider took down the network. Local media linked the operation to Asocks.
Key points
- Dutch police say the botnet affected 17 million computers, smartphones, and tablets.
- Authorities say a security researcher reported the botnet to the Netherlands’ National Cyber Security Centre.
- Investigators identified 200 servers used to control devices and launch cyberattacks.
- Police say several associated servers were seized from a Dutch hosting provider, which took down the network.
- The authorities did not identify the provider or botnet; local media reported the operation targeted residential proxy company Asocks.
- Police describe botnets as tools for attacks, spam and phishing, online fraud, and website disruption.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Law-enforcement disruption of a large botnet.
- Impact
- Dutch police say the botnet comprised 17 million infected computers, smartphones, and tablets. Authorities identified 200 servers used to control the devices and launch cyberattacks; several associated servers were seized in the Netherlands, and the hosting provider took down the network. Local media reported that the operation targeted Asocks, but authorities did not name the provider or botnet.