Dutch authorities have dismantled a botnet consisting of at least 17 million infected devices and seized more than 200 servers used to support the network.
The operation was carried out by the Dutch Police in cooperation with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) following a lengthy investigation into malicious online activity. According to officials, the seized servers were being used to control millions of compromised computers, smartphones, and tablets around the world.
Botnets are networks of internet-connected devices that have been infected with malware, allowing cybercriminals to remotely control them without the owners' knowledge. They are commonly used to launch distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, route malicious internet traffic through proxy services, steal data, or mine cryptocurrency.
The botnet relied on more than 200 servers hosted in the Netherlands. Authorities seized the infrastructure, disrupting the operation and cutting off communication between the controllers and the infected devices.
While officials did not publicly identify the botnet, Dutch media reports linked the operation to Asocks, a company that markets itself as a global proxy service. The platform claims to provide access to millions of IP addresses across more than 150 locations worldwide and serves thousands of customers. Subscription plans reportedly range from $5 to $15 per month, with discounts available for larger purchases.
The NCSC said that the action was taken to protect victims and prevent the infrastructure from being used for further cybercrime. The agency warned users to keep their devices updated, install security software, and remain cautious when downloading applications or opening suspicious links. Currently, there’s no information on whether any arrests have been made in connection to the case.