FBI and Partners Successfully Dismantle Qakbot Botnet in Global Cyber Takedown

The FBI, in collaboration with international partners, has successfully disrupted and dismantled the Qakbot malware and botnet in one of the largest-ever U.S.-led enforcement actions against a botnet. The operation, conducted in multiple countries, targeted a criminal supply chain responsible for ransomware attacks, financial fraud, and other cybercrimes. The Qakbot malware infected computers through spam emails, allowing cybercriminals to remotely control compromised computers. The FBI gained access to Qakbot's infrastructure, identified over 700,000 infected computers worldwide, and redirected traffic to Bureau-controlled servers to remove the malware and prevent further infections.