residential proxy2 articles
Google and FBI Kneecap NetNut's 2 Million-Device Proxy Botnet
Google, the FBI, and other partners have significantly disrupted NetNut, a residential proxy network that had enrolled at least 2 million devices — mostly TV-streaming hardware — into a botnet used by cybercriminals to disguise malicious traffic as coming from ordinary homes and businesses. In a single week in June 2026, over 316 distinct threat clusters, including cybercriminal and espionage groups, were observed using NetNut exit nodes for activities such as password spraying and masking their origins. Researchers warn that lasting disruption is difficult, as proxy operators tend to simply buy capacity from competitors when their own networks are degraded, and call for broader, coordinated efforts involving ISPs and technology platforms.
Dutch Authorities Axe 17-Million-Device Botnet Tied to Russian Proxy Firm
Dutch authorities, in a joint operation between police and the National Cyber Security Center, dismantled a botnet comprising over 17 million devices managed by 200 servers, after a security researcher reported the network. The botnet has been linked to ASOCKS, a Russia-based residential proxy service reportedly used for criminal activities such as DDoS attacks, phishing, and hiding users' identities. The host infrastructure, based in the Netherlands, was seized and taken offline by the hosting provider.