Interpol dismantles over 22,000 malicious IP addresses in operation against cybercriminals🔴

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Interpol recently announced the success of Operation Synergia II, a large-scale global initiative conducted from April to August 2024. This operation dismantled 1,037 computer servers across more than 22,000 IP addresses used for criminal activities, including data theft, ransomware attacks, and online fraud.

A global operation to counter cybercrime 🌍

Interpol has announced the success of Operation Synergia II, an effort aimed at combating cybercrime worldwide. During this operation, law enforcement agencies dismantled over 1,000 servers used for online crimes on a global scale. These servers, distributed across more than 22,000 IP addresses, facilitated criminal activities such as personal data theft, financial fraud, and ransomware attacks. The operation was made possible thanks to Interpol’s collaboration with major cybersecurity players like Group-IB, Kaspersky, Trend Micro, and Team Cymru.

Deployed between April and August 2024, the operation dealt a significant blow to the infrastructure of cybercriminals operating internationally. These criminals use these servers to carry out malicious activities on the internet, impacting thousands of victims worldwide.

Objectives and scope of operation Synergia II 🎯

The primary objective of this second edition of Operation Synergia was to target specific cybercrime practices, including phishing, ransomware, and the theft of sensitive information. These forms of cybercrime are growing rapidly, affecting more and more sectors, particularly those where personal and sensitive data are critical.

Operation Synergia II followed the success of the initial Synergia I, conducted in 2023, which dismantled nearly 1,300 URLs and suspicious web addresses used for phishing attacks and extortion attempts. The coordination between global security agencies and cybersecurity companies allowed for a continuation of the successes from the previous operation, addressing a constantly evolving threat. Kaspersky, one of the partner companies, highlighted that Synergia II built on the achievements of its predecessor, yielding even more impressive results in the fight against transnational cybercrime.

Significant arrests and seizures 🚔

As part of the operation, Interpol arrested 41 individuals suspected of being involved in cybercrime activities. These arrests led to the seizure of 43 electronic devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and hard drives, which will be used as evidence in ongoing investigations. In Estonia, more than 80 GB of data was extracted from criminal servers, providing crucial information about the operations of cybercriminal networks.

Law enforcement expects this data to provide new insights into the methods cybercriminals use to conduct their attacks. Additionally, investigators are actively following leads and are currently investigating 65 other individuals suspected of involvement in malicious online activities.

AI in the service of cybercriminals 🤖

One concerning aspect of this operation is the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) by cybercriminals. According to Interpol, AI is playing an increasingly significant role in the sophistication of cyberattacks. Hackers are using AI to generate more convincing phishing emails that are harder to detect. These emails, written in multiple languages, are now almost entirely free of spelling or grammar errors, making them more difficult for potential victims to recognize.

Furthermore, some researchers have observed that cybercriminals are using AI to code malware without needing advanced programming skills. This has opened the door to new types of attacks, making cybercrime more accessible and professional for those lacking technical expertise.

The rise of infostealers 🦠

Interpol has also warned about the increase in “stealers” — malware specifically designed to steal sensitive information. These viruses, such as Stealc, Rhadamanthys, and Atomic Stealer, are increasingly used to collect login credentials, banking information, and sensitive user data. This type of malware is also used in ransomware attacks, where victims are forced to pay a ransom to regain access to their files or data.

The rise of infostealers represents a growing threat to individuals and businesses alike, as these types of malware are increasingly targeting sensitive sectors, particularly healthcare. Cybercrime aimed specifically at health data, which can be highly lucrative on the black market, is on the rise.

Strengthened global coordination against cyber threats 🌐

Neal Jetton, head of Interpol’s cybercrime division, emphasized that the efforts made during Operation Synergia II prevented hundreds of thousands of potential victims from being caught in cybercriminal schemes. Interpol and its partners are celebrating these successes, but the fight against cybercrime remains a long-term challenge. Recent law enforcement actions have dismantled black markets such as Sipultie and neutralized servers linked to dangerous viruses like Redline and Meta.

These efforts are critical in the fight against increasingly professional, globalized, and technologically advanced cybercrime.

An endless battle ⚔️

Operation Synergia II marks a significant milestone in the global fight against cybercrime, but it also highlights the rapidly evolving nature of digital threats. The integration of artificial intelligence and the growing use of infostealers add complexity to attacks, making it harder for law enforcement and cybersecurity experts to combat them. However, thanks to initiatives like Synergia II and international cooperation, the war against cybercriminals remains on track, although the path is fraught with challenges.

Interpol continues its efforts to secure digital spaces and prevent future attacks, thereby protecting users and businesses against an increasingly pressing threat.

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