FBI Takes Down Global Cybercrime Network in Unprecedented Operation

The FBI conducted a covert operation to wipe malicious programs from over 700,000 computers worldwide, aiming to disrupt a major cybercrime ecosystem. The operation targeted Qakbot, a versatile tool used by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to victims' computers. The FBI obtained a court warrant to hack into Qakbot's central infrastructure and instructed the infected computers to stop listening to the malicious program. While the operation likely fixed most infected computers, victims will not be notified. The FBI shared hacked individuals' information with Have I Been Pwned, which added 6.4 million email accounts tied to Qakbot to its database. The takedown involved international cooperation, but details on arrests or government involvement were not disclosed. Experts believe the operation may not significantly reduce cyberattacks, as hackers have alternative methods to breach systems.