Security forces around the globe have reportedly been successful in taking down a network of what is described as the ‘world’s most dangerous malware – Emotet’ which has been causing severe cyberattacks.
The malware named Emotet had apparently gained unauthorized access to users’ devices and systems via contaminated email attachments that incorporated documents claiming to be notices, invoices, and information regarding Covid-19.
The European police agency Europol, which coordinated the effort, has been at the forefront in exposing the chain of cyberattacks. They stated that the Emotet framework acted as the main door opener for device systems all around the globe. Once the threat actors gain unauthorized access to these corrupted devices, they would sell these to other major felonious groups to engage in further criminal activities like data breach and extortion.
The global scale investigation to obstruct and curb the network, called botnet, was deployed collectively between eight countries consisting of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands, alongside Europol. The network had integrated several hundred servers scattered across the world.
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Investigation lead by the Dutch police dappled a database of usernames, email addresses, as well as passwords that were jeopardized by the Emotet.
Europol has urged netizens to update their device’s antivirus tools and exercise precaution against cyber threats and cyberattacks.
The malware saw a resurgence last year, according to the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), which described “a substantial increase in threat actors targeting state as well as local governments. This increase has rendered Emotet one of the most prevalent ongoing threats,” CISA added.
“Users should carefully check their email and avoid opening messages and attachments from unknown sources,” Europol said. “If a message looks too good to be true, it most likely is and emails that invoke a sense of urgency should be especially avoided.”
