Europol coordinates global action against criminal abuse of Cobalt Strike

Law enforcement has teamed up with the private sector to fight against the abuse of a legitimate security tool by criminals who were using it to infiltrate victims’ IT systems. Older, unlicensed versions of the Cobalt Strike red teaming tool Read More …

Europol-coordinated operation tackles the threat of terrorist-operated websites

Ten countries joined forces with Europol to disrupt the online propaganda activities of religious and politically motivated terrorist organisations across the ideological spectrum. This joint effort, known as Operation HOPPER II, targeted key assets in the online dissemination of terrorist Read More …

Europol: Largest ever operation against botnets hits dropper malware ecosystem

Between 27 and 29 May 2024 Operation Endgame, coordinated from Europol’s headquarters, targeted droppers including, IcedID, SystemBC, Pikabot, Smokeloader, Bumblebee and Trickbot. The actions focused on disrupting criminal services through arresting High Value Targets, taking down the criminal infrastructures and Read More …

More than 3 000 law enforcement authorities now connected to Europol

As of today, over 3 000 law enforcement authorities from more than 70 countries and international entities are connected to Europol’s secure information exchange channel, known as SIENA (‘Secure Information Exchange Network Application’). The platform enables the swift exchange of Read More …

Lockbit cybercrime gang says it is back online following global police bust

Lockbit, the cybercrime gang that was knocked offline by a comprehensive international police operation earlier this month, says it has restored its servers and is back in business. The group, notorious on the internet’s criminal underground for using malicious software Read More …

Europol: Tips & advice to prevent ransomware from infecting your electronic devices

Ransomware is a type of malware that locks your computer and mobile devices or encrypts your electronic files, demanding a ransom payment through certain online payment methods (and by an established deadline) in order to regain control of your data. Read More …

Law enforcement disrupt world’s biggest ransomware operation

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against cybercrime, law enforcement from 10 countries have disrupted the criminal operation of the LockBit ransomware group at every level, severely damaging their capability and credibility. LockBit is widely recognised as the world’s Read More …

Europol publishes IOCTA spotlight report on online fraud schemes

Europol’s spotlight report on online fraud highlights that online fraud schemes represent a major crime threat in the EU and beyond as online fraudsters generate multiple billions in illicit profits every year to the detriment of individuals, companies and public Read More …

Europol warning on the criminal use of Bluetooth trackers for geolocalisation

For the past several years, Europol has been observing a growing crime phenomenon: the use of Bluetooth trackers in organised crime. Bluetooth trackers are small devices designed to help people find personal objects, such as keys and bags, as well Read More …

Europol and Eurojust support Czech and Ukrainian police in taking down multi-million euro voice phishing gang

The Czech and Ukrainian police have disrupted, with the support of Europol and Eurojust, a prolific phishing gang believed to have defrauded victims across Europe of tens of millions of euros. In Czechia alone, the damage caused by this criminal Read More …