Law enforcement shuts down VPN service used by two dozen ransomware gangs
Law enforcement agencies have successfully shut down a VPN service known as First VPN, which was widely used by ransomware gangs. The operation resulted in the arrest of the service's administrator and the dismantling of dozens of servers across multiple countries. Investigators identified thousands of users linked to cybercrime through the service's database.
- ▪First VPN was used by at least 25 ransomware gangs to conceal their activities.
- ▪The service operated servers in 27 countries and offered anonymous connections and payments to cybercriminals.
- ▪Law enforcement agencies notified users of the shutdown and identified them through the service's user database.
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An international coalition of law enforcement agencies announced Thursday that they took down a popular virtual private network service used by cybercriminals and arrested its administrator. The FBI said in an alert that First VPN was so popular that “at least” 25 ransomware gangs used the service to hide their malicious activity. Cybercriminals also relied on the VPN to scan the internet, run botnets, launch distributed denial-of-service attacks, and for running scams. First VPN operated servers across 27 different countries, according to the bureau. Europol said in an announcement that, apart from offering anonymous connections, First VPN offered cybercriminals anonymous payments, hidden infrastructure, and other services specifically marketed for criminal hackers.
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