Coordinated efforts of various law enforcement from around the world led to the takedown of the Avalanche network, which for several years allowed various botnet operators to benefit from protection against a takedown and domain blacklisting.
At the same time, ESET is advising users to check their computers via its free ESET Online Scanner to determine whether they have been affected by one of the botnets using the network. The tool will remove harmful content found on the system at no charge.
The Avalanche network is a so called fast-flux or ever-changing network, and is made up of compromised hosts acting as proxy servers. This technique makes both mapping the attacker’s infrastructure and identifying the true command & control server more challenging for security experts.
ESET has a rich history of helping law enforcement around the world in anti-malware efforts, including both the Dorkbot botnet – infecting thousands of computers every week – and Operation Windigo, which was stealing credentials and redirecting web traffic to malicious content.
To read more about the Avalanche network take down go to the WeLiveSecurity.com article Avalanche takedown: Check if you are safe.
About ESET:
Since 1987, ESET® has been developing award-winning security software that now helps over 100 million users to Enjoy Safer Technology. Its broad security product portfolio covers all popular platforms and provides businesses and consumers around the world with the perfect balance of performance and proactive protection. The company has a global sales network covering 180 countries, and regional offices in Bratislava, San Diego, Singapore and Buenos Aires. For more information visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Media contact:
Anna Keeve
619.405.5175
anna.keeve@eset.com