Outlook Business Desk
Tech giant Google has taken down IPIDEA, one of the world’s largest malicious networks. The company removed its domains and pursued legal action to prevent the network from targeting ordinary internet users.
IPIDEA operated a proxy network that let cybercriminals hijack millions of computers and phones. These devices were covertly used to create “tunnels”, and enabling criminals to carry out activity that was nearly impossible to trace.
Proxy networks send internet traffic through other devices. While they can be useful, cybercriminals use them to hide their identity, making it harder to trace their illegal activities back to them.
Google has shut down IPIDEA’s online store and taken legal action, stopping the company from selling or spreading its services to everyday internet users and cutting off cybercriminal access.
The IPIDEA network enabled attackers to use home internet connections of regular users. This made it appear as if criminal activity originated from ordinary devices, effectively making cybercriminals untraceable.
John Hultquist, Chief Analyst at the Google Threat Intelligence Group, said in a blog post that residential proxy networks are now being used for spying and major crimes, allowing cybercriminals to exploit everyday users’ devices to hide their activity in plain sight.
To safeguard Android users, Google is also updating Google Play Protect. It will automatically detect IPIDEA-related malicious apps, warn users, block installation or remove them, preventing infected devices from being exploited.
On the other hand, Google has shared its findings with other companies and cybersecurity firms to ensure that the IPIDEA network cannot regrow or rebuild, aiming to shut down its operations worldwide permanently.
Users are advised not to share internet access with untrusted apps, keep Google Play Protect enabled, and regularly update devices with monthly security updates to reduce exposure to cyberattacks.