The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) is asking people to protect themselves from malware after a computer network known as Avalanche has been taken down. Avalanche, set up in 2009, was used to send out millions of fraudulent emails weekly, for cybercriminals to steal personal information such as financial details. At any given time up to 500,000 computers worldwide are believed to have been carrying infections distributed through the Avalanche network.
On Wednesday, November 30, 2016 an operation by police forces from more than 30 countries, including the UK, resulted in criminal enterprises losing access to Avalanche. In a day of coordinated action, more than 830,000 malicious web domains were taken down. Five people were arrested, 37 premises searched and 39 servers seized, while 221 servers were put offline through abuse notifications sent to the hosting providers. Victims of malware were identified in over 180 countries.
Malware on the Avalanche system concentrated on but was not limited to Windows PC vulnerabilities. To help protect yourself from the threat of malware you should ensure that you always download the latest software and app updates which contain vital security upgrades to help protect your devices. Remember if an email or SMS text message is unexpected or you do not recognise the sender always take care not to open attachments, or click on links.
Mike Hulett, of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit, said: “The volume of fraudulent activity made possible by Avalanche was incredible. But the scale of the global law enforcement response was unprecedented as 20 strains of malware and 800,000 domains were targeted on one day. This shows how serious we are about tackling cyber crime. The internet isn’t a safe haven for criminals.
“Unfortunately taking down Avalanche doesn’t clean computers already infected with malware, so while the criminals are scrabbling around inevitably trying to rebuild their operations computer users should use this window to install anti-virus software and make sure they’re protected.”
For free malware removal tools, visit the Action Fraud website. For other recent NCA work, visit http://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/.
