Europol Busts Cyber Crime Syndicate Behind Global Botnet

Strategic Insights -

A cyber crime syndicate, responsible for stealing banking information from three million computers worldwide, has been dismantled by the European police with the assistance of technology companies. The syndicate, behind the Ramnit botnet, used a network of infected computers to gain remote access and control, enabling them to steal personal and banking information. The operation, coordinated by the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol, involved experts from several countries and technology companies, including Microsoft, Symantec, and AnubisNetworks.

Key Takeaways:

  • The cyber crime syndicate, responsible for the Ramnit botnet, has been busted by the European police with the assistance of technology companies.
  • The syndicate used a network of infected computers to steal personal and banking information from three million computers worldwide.
  • The operation, coordinated by the European Cybercrime Centre at Europol, involved experts from several countries, including Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK.
  • The syndicate had evolved over time, shifting its focus from building the botnet to exploiting it, and had infected a total of 3.2 million computers.
  • The malware spreads through the use of removable devices like USB keys and network shares, as well as FTP servers and malicious ads on legitimate websites.
  • The attack had significant economic impact, defrauding large numbers of innocent victims.
  • Europol and private industry are working together to combat cybercrime and have taken down other botnets in the past.

Statistics:

  • 3.2 million computers worldwide were infected with the Ramnit botnet.
  • 27% of infections were uncovered in India, the country with the largest number of infected computers.
  • 18% of infections were uncovered in Indonesia, the second country with the largest number of infected computers.
  • The malware infected computers running Windows operating systems.
  • The attack was sustained for a minimum of five years before being dismantled.

Sources:

  • Europol: "Europol director Rob Wainwright announcing the busting of the Ramnit botnet"
  • Reuters: "Europol: Cybercrime syndicate behind Ramnit botnet dismantled"
  • Symantec: "Ramnit worm infects 3.2 million computers worldwide"
  • Microsoft: "Microsoft and Europol collaborate to take down Ramnit botnet"