International Law Enforcement Takes Down Major VPN Service Used by Ransomware Gangs
Law enforcement shuts down VPN service used by two dozen ransomware gangs

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An international coalition of law enforcement agencies has dismantled First VPN, a popular service used by at least 25 ransomware gangs to conduct cybercriminal activities. The operation, which began in December 2021, resulted in the arrest of the VPN's administrator and the shutdown of its infrastructure across 27 countries.
- 01First VPN was utilized by cybercriminals for various illegal activities, including ransomware attacks and data theft.
- 02The service operated servers in 27 countries and was deeply integrated into the cybercrime ecosystem.
- 03Europol reported that First VPN provided anonymous payments and hidden infrastructure specifically for hackers.
- 04Investigators accessed the user database, identifying thousands of users involved in cybercrime.
- 05The operation was part of a broader investigation initiated in December 2021.
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On Thursday, an international coalition of law enforcement agencies announced the takedown of First VPN, a virtual private network service widely used by cybercriminals, including at least 25 ransomware gangs. The FBI reported that First VPN facilitated various illegal activities such as scanning the internet, operating botnets, and launching distributed denial-of-service attacks. It operated servers across 27 countries and was integral to many major cybercrime investigations supported by Europol. The service not only offered anonymous connections but also provided cybercriminals with anonymous payment options and hidden infrastructure tailored for illicit activities. Europol noted that First VPN had become a staple in the cybercrime ecosystem, with its advertisements appearing on known cybercrime forums, including Russian-speaking marketplaces. Following the takedown, users of the service were notified that their identities had been exposed, thanks to investigators accessing the user database. The operation culminated in the arrest of the VPN's administrator and the dismantling of dozens of servers, marking a significant victory against cybercrime.
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The shutdown of First VPN disrupts a key tool for cybercriminals, potentially reducing the incidence of ransomware attacks and other cybercrimes.
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