Law enforcement agencies around the world have successfully shut down over two dozen platforms used for Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks as part of the ongoing international crackdown known as Operation PowerOFF. These platforms, known as “booter” or “stresser” sites, were used by cybercriminals and hacktivists to overwhelm targeted websites and web-based services with traffic, rendering them inaccessible.
Coordinated by Europol and involving agencies from Australia, the US, the UK, Brazil, Japan, and several European countries, Operation PowerOFF targeted individuals engaged in enabling and carrying out DDoS attacks. As a result of this multi-year operation:
– 27 booter/stresser websites, including zdstresser.net, orbitalstress.net, and starkstresser.net, have been taken down.
– Three administrators of these platforms have been arrested in France and Germany.
– Over 300 users of these platforms have been identified for further action.
The Dutch police have announced that they have uncovered the identities of approximately 200 suspects, with four individuals already facing prosecution. Among them, a 26-year-old man from Barneveld is suspected of carrying out over 4,000 DDoS attacks, while the other three suspects are believed to have conducted hundreds of attacks. Authorities anticipate summoning more suspects for interrogation in the near future, with the possibility of additional arrests.
In parallel with the website seizures, the US Department of Justice has filed indictments against two individuals accused of operating booter services. Additionally, agencies such as Homeland Security Investigations, the UK’s National Crime Agency, and the Netherlands Police have launched an advertising campaign aimed at deterring potential cybercriminals by placing targeted ads in search engines related to DDoS activities. The goal is not only to deter illegal DDoS activities but also to educate the public on their illegality.
Europol has emphasized the use of deterrent actions such as knock-and-talks, warning letters, and emails to engage with users of illegal services. Frank Tutty from the UK NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit highlighted the importance of steering individuals away from cybercrime, emphasizing the need to make informed decisions regarding online activities.
The crackdown on DDoS platforms under Operation PowerOFF demonstrates a concerted effort by international law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime and protect online infrastructure from malicious attacks. By disrupting these illegal services and prosecuting those responsible, authorities aim to safeguard the digital landscape and promote cybersecurity awareness among the public.