In a major international operation codenamed “PowerOFF,” Europol, collaborating with law enforcement agencies across 15 countries, has taken down 27 illegal platforms facilitating Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.
This takedown marks a significant blow to the cybercrime industry, disrupting one of the most common tools cybercriminals use to cause widespread disruption.
These platforms, known as ‘booter’ and ‘stresser’ websites, allowed users to launch DDoS attacks that overwhelm targeted websites and online services with massive traffic, rendering them inaccessible.
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Europol’s coordinated efforts led to the arrest of three administrators responsible for running these platforms, while over 300 service users have been identified for further investigation.
Authorities targeted popular platforms such as zdstresser.net, orbitalstress.net, and starkstresser.net, which had been widely used by hackers and hacktivist groups.
The operation comes at a critical time, as the festive season is often exploited by cybercriminals to launch high-profile attacks.
These could range from financial sabotage to ideological campaigns orchestrated by groups like Killnet or Anonymous Sudan.
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Global Collaboration and Investigative Expertise
Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre (EC3) played a pivotal role in coordinating this operation, facilitating technical sprints, and developing key investigative leads.
The Joint Cybercrime Action Taskforce (J-CAT), based at Europol’s headquarters, provided crucial analytical and forensic support, including advanced crypto-tracing techniques.
Participating countries included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Japan, and more, with each contributing resources to dismantle these criminal networks. Arrests were made in France and Germany, showcasing the international reach of the operation.
Beyond dismantling existing platforms, Operation PowerOFF aims to deter future offenders. A targeted online ad campaign will educate potential perpetrators, particularly young people, about the risks and legal consequences of engaging in DDoS-for-hire schemes.
Tailored messages will appear on Google and YouTube, where individuals often search for or learn about these illegal tools.
Additionally, law enforcement agencies will issue over 250 warning letters and 2,000 emails to users of these services, reinforcing the message that DDoS attacks are criminal acts with serious consequences.
Operation PowerOFF underscores the global commitment to combating cybercrime at all levels. By combining enforcement actions with deterrence campaigns, Europol and its international partners are making strides in protecting digital infrastructure and educating the public.
As this operation continues, it serves as a warning to cybercriminals: the era of operating with impunity is coming to an end.
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