US authorities [1] [2] [3] [4] [5], in collaboration with the FBI [2], have successfully shut down the IPStorm botnet and apprehended Sergei Makinin, a Moldovan-Russian national [3] [5], who has pleaded guilty to violating US fraud laws [3].
Description
Makinin caused unauthorized damage to protected computers by using the botnet to infect various devices worldwide, including Windows [2], Linux [2] [4], Mac [2] [4], Android [2] [4], and iOS systems [2]. He then created proxies from the infected devices, which were rented out to cyber-criminals to launch anonymous cyber-attacks and bypass security filters. The Department of Justice has stated that the botnet victimized computers and electronic devices in Asia [4], Europe [4], North America [4], and South America [4]. Makinin admitted to earning at least $550,000 from this fraudulent scheme [5]. The successful takedown of the botnet was a collaborative effort led by the FBI, with support from other law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity companies [1], including Bitdefender [3].
Conclusion
This operation highlights the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in combating cybercrime and serves as a warning to cybercriminals that they will face consequences regardless of their location. To prevent device compromise, the FBI urges device owners to regularly update their software [5].
References
[1] https://siliconangle.com/2023/11/14/fbi-dismantles-ipstorm-proxy-botnet-arrests-operator-puerto-rico/
[2] https://partners.bitdefender.com/blog/hotforsecurity/fbi-dismantles-ipstorm-botnet-after-hacker-pleads-guilty/
[3] https://www.computerweekly.com/news/366559633/Russian-cyber-criminal-pleads-guilty-to-running-IPStorm-botnet
[4] https://thehackernews.com/2023/11/us-takes-down-ipstorm-botnet-russian.html
[5] https://www.infosecurity-magazine.com/news/us-dismantles-ipstorm-botnet-proxy/
