Millions of Devices Freed as Authorities Dismantle Cybercrime Networks
Two of the world’s largest bot networks have been dismantled in a major international operation led by German, US, and Canadian cybercrime authorities, targeting networks responsible for large-scale online attacks.
The operation focused on the botnets Aisuru and Kimwolf, which officials described as a serious threat to global IT infrastructure due to their massive size and ability to launch powerful cyberattacks. Authorities confirmed that both networks had been successfully shut down.
A botnet (botnet – شبكة أجهزة مخترقة) is a network of internet-connected devices infected with malware and secretly controlled by cybercriminals. These networks are often used to carry out attacks or steal data without the knowledge of device owners.
According to investigators, Aisuru controlled several million compromised devices, including routers and webcams, while Kimwolf mainly targeted Android TV boxes, also infecting millions of devices. Two suspected administrators behind the networks have been identified and are expected to face legal consequences.
The botnets were used to carry out distributed denial of service attacks (distributed denial of service attacks – هجمات حجب الخدمة الموزعة), overwhelming systems with massive traffic to disrupt or shut them down. Officials said these attacks reached record-breaking levels and caused significant financial damage to victims.
Authorities also revealed that infected devices were effectively controlled and rented out to other cybercriminals, enabling further attacks and extortion. Some victims reportedly suffered losses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars before the networks were dismantled.