Dutch authorities have announced the takedown of a botnet that enslaved millions of infected devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones, and IoT devices, to carry out malicious attacks. The bot network, per the Dutch Politie and the National Cyber Security Center (NCSC), consisted of at least 17 million infected devices. More than 200 servers located in…
Tag: botnet
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Risk Management
Botnet of 17 Million Devices Dismantled in the Netherlands
Dutch authorities seized 200 servers running a 17-million-device botnet linked to proxy service Asocks. Dutch authorities have taken offline a massive botnet of at least 17 million devices and seized more than 200 servers at a local provider that supported the operation. Infected devices included computers, tablets, and smartphones. The action was carried out following…
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Risk Management
Botnet of 17 Million Devices Dismantled in the Netherlands
Dutch authorities seized 200 servers running a 17-million-device botnet linked to proxy service Asocks. Dutch authorities have taken offline a massive botnet of at least 17 million devices and seized more than 200 servers at a local provider that supported the operation. Infected devices included computers, tablets, and smartphones. The action was carried out following…
Global Security News
Dutch govt disrupts malware botnet with 17 million infected devices
Dutch authorities have taken offline a massive botnet of 17 million devices and seized more than 200 servers at a local provider that supported the operation. […]
Global Security News
CrowdStrike, Google Take Down Glassworm Botnet
Operators of the malicious Glassworm botnet have been targeting software developers since at least early 2025
AI, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
CrowdStrike disrupts Glassworm botnet that preyed on open-source supply chain
CrowdStrike has dismantled the Glassworm botnet in an operation aided by Google and Shadowserver, stripping the operators’ access to infrastructure that helped threat actors infect hundreds of pieces of open-source software with malware since early 2025, the company said Tuesday. The coordinated effort involved the simultaneous takedown of four attacker-controlled servers that were designed to…
AI, Global Security News, Network Security
Glassworm botnet disrupted after resilient C2 infrastructure takedown
The Glassworm botnet targeting developers in software supply-chain attacks has been disrupted after researchers took down its resilient command-and-control infrastructure relying on Solana blockchain transactions and the BitTorrent DHT network. […]
AI, Compliance, Data Breaches, Endpoint, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Risk Management
CrowdStrike Disrupts Glassworm Supply Chain Botnet
CrowdStrike announced the coordinated takedown of the Glassworm botnet, a large-scale operation that targeted software developers through compromised open-source packages, malicious VSCode extensions, and poisoned GitHub repositories. The operation, conducted alongside Google and the Shadowserver Foundation, disrupted the botnet’s infrastructure and severed communication between the operators and infected systems. “In collaboration with Google and the…
Exploits, Global Security News, Network Security
RondoDox botnet exploits old ASUS router vulnerability
The RondoDox botnet has been exploiting this vulnerability since May 17, as discovered by VulnCheck’s Canary Network.
AI, Apps, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
Authorities arrest 23-year-old accused of running the Kimwolf botnet
Canadian authorities arrested a 23-year-old Ottawa man accused of running the Kimwolf DDoS botnet. The US is now seeking extradition. US authorities have charged 23-year-old Jacob Butler (aka “Dort”), an Ottawa resident, for allegedly operating the recently disrupted Kimwolf botnet. Authorities arrested the suspect in Canada, he could face up to 10 years in prison…
Global Security News
Suspected KimWolf botnet admin arrested over DDoS-for-hire operation
U.S. and Canadian authorities arrested and charged a Canadian man accused of operating the KimWolf DDoS botnet, a service linked to attacks that infected more than one million devices worldwide. Jacob Butler, 23, of Ottawa, Canada, also known online as “Dort,” was arrested in Canada under an extradition warrant after U.S. prosecutors charged him with…
AI, Cybersecurity, Data Breaches, Endpoint, Europe, Global Security News, Government & Policy, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russian APT Turla builds long-term access tool with Kazuar Botnet evolution
Russia-linked APT group Turla turned its Kazuar malware into a stealthy P2P botnet for long-term access to compromised systems. Russia-linked APT group Turla upgraded its Kazuar backdoor into a modular peer-to-peer botnet designed for stealth and persistent access to infected systems. Microsoft researchers say the malware allows attackers to maintain long-term control while making detection…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Risk Management
From Android TVs to routers: the xlabs_v1 Mirai-based botnet built for DDoS attacks
A new Mirai‑based botnet, xlabs_v1, hijacks ADB‑exposed IoT devices for powerful DDoS attacks, with 21 flooding methods and DDoS‑for‑hire use. A new Mirai‑derived botnet called xlabs_v1 is hijacking internet‑exposed devices running Android Debug Bridge (ADB) and using them for large‑scale DDoS attacks. Hunt.io discovered the bot on an unsecured server, it includes 21 flood techniques…
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
Mirai-Based xlabs_v1 Botnet Exploits ADB to Hijack IoT Devices for DDoS Attacks
Cybersecurity researchers have exposed a new Mirai-derived botnet that self-identifies as xlabs_v1 and targets internet-exposed devices running Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to enlist them in a network capable of carrying out distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Hunt.io, which detailed the malware, said it made the discovery after identifying an exposed directory on a Netherlands-hosted
AI, Global Security News
Hackers Use Jenkins Access to Deploy DDoS Botnet Against Gaming Servers
A new campaign shows misconfigured Jenkins servers abused to deploy a DDoS botnet targeting gaming systems, with Valve Corporation infrastructure in focus.
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Mirai Botnet exploits CVE-2025-29635 to target legacy D-Link routers
Mirai botnet is targeting old D-Link routers using CVE-2025-29635, a command injection flaw exploitable via crafted POST requests after public PoC disclosure. A Mirai botnet is actively exploiting a command injection vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-29635, in discontinued D-Link routers, Akamai reports. The flaw allows attackers to inject commands because an attacker-controlled value is copied without…
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
New Mirai variants target routers and DVRs in parallel campaigns
Hidden inside newly discovered botnet malware is an unusual message from its creator: “AI.NEEDS.TO.DIE”. Dubbed “tuxnokill” by researchers at Akamai, the malware is one of two fresh Mirai botnet variants documented this month by major cybersecurity firms and, judging by the aforementioned hard-coded string, this particular variant might have been coded the old-fashioned way. “Tuxnokill”…
Global Security News, malware
The Gentlemen ransomware now uses SystemBC for bot-powered attacks
A SystemBC proxy malware botnet of more than 1,570 hosts, believed to be corporate victims, has been discovered following an investigation into a Gentlemen ransomware attack carried out by a gang affiliate. […]
Global Security News
7 Best DDoS Attack Simulation Service Providers & Testing Platforms for 2026
GUEST RESEARCH: In December 2025, a botnet unleashed a record-shattering 31.4 Tbps DDoS wave—proof that yesterday’s worst-case is today’s baseline.
Global Security News
13.5M Device Botnet Drives 2 Tbps DDoS Attacks on FinTech, Qrator Finds
A new Qrator Labs report reveals that the largest DDoS botnet has grown to 13.5 million devices, and…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
Masjesu botnet targets IoT devices while evading high-profile networks
Masjesu is a stealthy DDoS-for-hire botnet targeting IoT devices, active since 2023 and designed to stay hidden by avoiding high-profile networks. Masjesu is a stealthy botnet active since 2023, advertised as a DDoS-for-hire service. It targets IoT devices like routers and gateways, spanning multiple architectures. Designed for persistence, it executes carefully, avoiding high-profile IP ranges…
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News
Masjesu Botnet Emerges as DDoS-for-Hire Service Targeting Global IoT Devices
Cybersecurity researchers have lifted the curtain on a stealthy botnet that’s designed for distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Called Masjesu, the botnet has been advertised via Telegram as a DDoS-for-hire service since it first surfaced in 2023. It’s capable of targeting a wide range of IoT devices, such as routers and gateways, spanning multiple architectures. “Built for
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Russia
Russian national convicted for running botnet used in attacks on U.S. firms
A Russian hacker got 2 years in prison, $100K fine, and $1.6M judgment for running a botnet used in ransomware attacks on U.S. firms. Russian national Ilya Angelov (40) was sentenced to 24 months in prison for operating a botnet used to carry out ransomware attacks on dozens of U.S. companies. He was also fined…
AI, Global Security News, malware, Risk Management
Mirai Malware Evolves into Hundreds of Variants Driving Botnet Growth
Mirai malware evolves into hundreds of variants, driving botnet growth, including Aisuru and KimWolf, powering large-scale attacks, and increasing risks to vulnerable IoT devices worldwide.
AI, Global Security News, Russia
Botnet operator behind $14 million in ransomware extortion payments gets 24 months behind bars
A Russian national has been sentenced to 24 months in prison after admitting he managed a botnet used to launch ransomware attacks against dozens of U.S. companies. The judge also imposed a $100,000 fine and ordered him to forfeit $1.6 million linked to the scheme. Court records show that from 2017 to 2021, Ilya Angelov,…
AI, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Risk Management
RondoDox botnet expands arsenal targeting 174 flaws, and hits 15,000 daily exploit attempts
RondoDox botnet targets 174 flaws, reaching 15,000 daily exploit attempts in a more focused and strategic campaign. RondoDox botnet is ramping up attacks, targeting 174 vulnerabilities with up to 15,000 daily exploitation attempts in a more focused and strategic campaign, Bitsight reported. “We gathered all these exploit attempts (identifiable by indicators like the User-Agent and…
AI, Apps, Europe, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security, Risk Management
US and European authorities disrupt socksEscort proxy service tied to AVrecon botnet
Authorities in the US and Europe disrupted the SocksEscort proxy service, which used the AVrecon botnet and infected about 360,000 devices since 2020. Law enforcement agencies in the US and Europe have disrupted SocksEscort, a malicious proxy service powered by the AVrecon botnet. Active since 2020, the service hijacked roughly 360,000 devices and allowed cybercriminals…
AI, Apps, Endpoint, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
Aeternum botnet hides commands in Polygon smart contracts
Aeternum botnet uses Polygon blockchain smart contracts for C&C, making its infrastructure harder to detect and disrupt. Qrator Labs researchers uncovered Aeternum, a botnet that runs its command-and-control infrastructure through smart contracts on the Polygon blockchain. By decentralizing its C2, the malware avoids traditional server-based takedowns and becomes far harder to disrupt or shut down,…
AI, Global Security News
New Aeternum C2 Botnet Evades Takedowns via Polygon Blockchain
Qrator Research Lab has identified Aeternum C2, a botnet that uses the Polygon blockchain for commands, making it nearly impossible to shut down.
AI, Cybersecurity, Global Security News
Aeternum C2 Botnet Stores Encrypted Commands on Polygon Blockchain to Evade Takedown
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a new botnet loader called Aeternum C2 that uses a blockchain-based command-and-control (C2) infrastructure to make it resilient to takedown efforts. “Instead of relying on traditional servers or domains for command-and-control, Aeternum stores its instructions on the public Polygon blockchain,” Qrator Labs said in a report shared with The
AI, Global Security News
Aeternum Botnet Shifts Command Control to Polygon Blockchain
New botnet Aeternum shifted C2 operations to Polygon blockchain, complicating takedown efforts
AI, Apps, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News, malware, Network Security
SSHStalker botnet brute-forces its way onto 7,000 Linux machines
A newly discovered botnet is compromising poorly-protected Linux servers by brute-forcing weak SSH password login authentication. Researchers at Canada-based Flare Systems, who discovered the botnet, got into its staging server and believe at least 7,000 servers had been compromised by the end of January, half of them in the US. The botnet’s weapons include exploits…
AI, APAC, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, Network Security, privacy
Kimwolf Botnet Swamps Anonymity Network I2P
For the past week, the massive “Internet of Things” (IoT) botnet known as Kimwolf has been disrupting The Invisible Internet Project (I2P), a decentralized, encrypted communications network designed to anonymize and secure online communications. I2P users started reporting disruptions in the network around the same time the Kimwolf botmasters began relying on it to evade…
AI, Cybersecurity, Exploits, Global Security News
SSHStalker Botnet Uses IRC C2 to Control Linux Systems via Legacy Kernel Exploits
Cybersecurity researchers have disclosed details of a new botnet operation called SSHStalker that relies on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) communication protocol for command-and-control (C2) purposes. “The toolset blends stealth helpers with legacy-era Linux exploitation: Alongside log cleaners (utmp/wtmp/lastlog tampering) and rootkit-class artifacts, the actor keeps a large back-catalog of
AI, Breaking News, cyber crime, Cybercrime, Exploits, Global Security News, hacking, malware, Network Security
SSHStalker botnet targets Linux servers with legacy exploits and SSH scanning
A new Linux botnet, SSHStalker, has infected about 7,000 systems using old 2009-era exploits, IRC bots, and mass-scanning malware. Flare researchers uncovered a previously undocumented Linux botnet dubbed SSHStalker, observed via SSH honeypots over two months. Researchers ran an SSH honeypot with weak credentials starting in early 2026 and spotted a set of intrusions unlike…
Global Security News, Security
New Linux botnet SSHStalker uses old-school IRC for C2 comms
A newly documented Linux botnet named SSHStalker is using the IRC (Internet Relay Chat) communication protocol for command-and-control (C2) operations. […]
AI, Botnet, cyber attacks, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Russia, Security
UK Construction Firm Hit by Prometei Botnet Hiding in Windows Server
Cybersecurity firm eSentire’s TRU break down the Russian Prometei botnet attack on a UK firm, detailing its TOR usage, password theft and decoy tactics.
AI, Botnet, cyber attacks, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Russia, Security
UK Construction Firm Hit by Prometei Botnet Hiding in Windows Server
Cybersecurity firm eSentire’s TRU break down the Russian Prometei botnet attack on a UK firm, detailing its TOR usage, password theft and decoy tactics.
AI, Botnet, cyber attacks, Cybersecurity, Global Security News, malware, Russia, Security
UK Construction Firm Hit by Prometei Botnet Hiding in Windows Server
Cybersecurity firm eSentire’s TRU break down the Russian Prometei botnet attack on a UK firm, detailing its TOR usage, password theft and decoy tactics.
AI, Breaking News, china, cyber crime, Global Security News, Government & Policy, hacking, malware, Network Security, Security
Record-breaking 31.4 Tbps DDoS attack hits in November 2025, stopped by Cloudflare
AISURU/Kimwolf botnet hit a record 31.4 Tbps DDoS attack lasting 35 seconds in Nov 2025, which Cloudflare automatically detected and blocked. The AISURU/Kimwolf botnet was linked to a record-breaking DDoS attack that peaked at 31.4 Tbps and lasted just 35 seconds. Cloudflare said the November 2025 incident was part of a surge in hyper-volumetric HTTP…
AI, Global Security News
AISURU/Kimwolf Botnet Launches Record-Setting 31.4 Tbps DDoS Attack
The distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) botnet known as AISURU/Kimwolf has been attributed to a record-setting attack that peaked at 31.4 Terabits per second (Tbps) and lasted only 35 seconds. Cloudflare, which automatically detected and mitigated the activity, said it’s part of a growing number of hyper-volumetric HTTP DDoS attacks mounted by the botnet in the fourth…