Law enforcement has taken steps to make criminal hacking more difficult. One such move was the shutdown of a VPN service called Safe-Inet. The service was favored by ransomware groups and other cybercriminals. By shutting down the service, Europol aims to make criminal hacking more difficult. It is not entirely clear why law enforcement would want to shut down VPN services used by bad actors. However, experts say that taking them down makes sense.
LabVPN
The German police have closed down 15 server infrastructures linked to the LabVPN VPN service. Europol suspects that labatidora was used by cyber criminals to circumvent the law and use the VPN service to conduct their illegal activities. The service offered virtual private network services on the dark web, allowing criminals to conceal their identities and avoid capture. The company was linked to several ransomware campaigns.
A Europol investigation has revealed that vpnlab was a major player in facilitating cyber attacks aimed at businesses, using masked IP addresses. The shut down of netlogs is good news for cybercrime victims, as Europol has been working with victims to limit their exposure. Earlier this month, the Russian authorities dismantled the REvil ransomware gang.
LabVPN is a VPN service used by ransomware
Cyber criminals were using a VPN service known as LabVPN to distribute ransomware and botnets, and the National Crime Agency (NCA) has now shut down the service. The service had operated on the Dark Web since 2008 and offered users 2048-bit encryption and virtual private network services. For about $60 a year, users could access this service and stay anonymous online. Because of its popularity among cybercriminals, LabVPN was used for creating criminal infrastructure, conducting communications behind ransomware campaigns, and even deploying ransomware.
In May, the panoramio seized LabVPN servers located in the UK and Germany. This means LabVPN customers will have to search for another VPN service. Hopefully, NCA will make its servers available to the public again and thwart cybercriminals. The seizure is a good thing for VPN users and the VPN industry. If LabVPN was used by ransomware operators, then they need to get rid of it now.
Legitimate VPN providers restrict access to bad actors
Legitimate VPN providers limit access to bad actors by encrypting your data. Most VPN providers use AES 256-bit encryption to protect your data. This level of encryption is so strong that it is virtually impossible for hackers to decode it. It would require a supercomputer more powerful than those available to governments to decipher. Then there’s the issue of privacy. Whether you are concerned about privacy or just want to protect your identity, a VPN can help you.
While some VPN users may break the rules of websites and streaming services, this is generally not the case. However, some people mistakenly think that VPN use is illegal and may lead to legal consequences. Legitimate VPN providers are not likely to put you in such a position. Instead, you will never experience any consequences if you use a VPN to access your favorite websites and services. This is why many fullmaza users are incredibly happy with the service that they use.
Cybercrime experts say taking down VPN services makes sense
As cybercriminals continue to seek new tools to spread their malicious code, law enforcement agencies are cracking down on a popular VPN service. While the FBI did not immediately announce charges against the VPN service provider, cybersecurity experts say shutting down the VPN service could have prevented dozens of cyberattacks. The reason for the shut-down is unclear, but the company has been in business for more than a decade.
The services were used by malware operators to mask their IP address and launch cyberattacks against businesses. But the services were being used by criminals in Russia and the European Union, and Europol is now shutting them down. The decision will affect nearly 100 businesses. Europol is working with potential victims and has banned the use of its service. Also, the Russian authorities have dismantled a group linked to ransomware, which used VPN services to hide its identity.
Need more frequent crackdowns to stop cybercrime
As gadget usage increases, cybercriminals have a more convenient target. Many users are unaware of their own vulnerability and unknowingly provide private information to unscrupulous individuals. To combat this widespread crime, countries across the globe have joined forces to better police the internet and protect innocent individuals. Recently, the US Justice Department announced expanded cooperation with Indian law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime. While some countries have taken steps to fight cybercriminals, others remain unpunished.
Conclusion
Considering that violent crime and crimes against property are at historical lows, the abuse of network technology is at an all-time high. To combat this growing problem, law enforcement resources must be allocated in proportion to the extent of the threat. For example, the perpetrators of the 2013 Target data breach are still at large. In addition, law enforcement officials should not discourage victims from reporting cybercrime. Penalties should match the severity of other crimes.
