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phishing
Credential Theft Data Breach Data Theft Emails IP Address Microsoft Microsoft SharePoint phishing

Attackers Hijack Microsoft Email Accounts to Launch Phishing Campaign Against Energy Firms

 


Cybercriminals have compromised Microsoft email accounts belonging to organizations in the energy sector and used those trusted inboxes to distribute large volumes of phishing emails. In at least one confirmed incident, more than 600 malicious messages were sent from a single hijacked account.

Microsoft security researchers explained that the attackers did not rely on technical exploits or system vulnerabilities. Instead, they gained access by using legitimate login credentials that were likely stolen earlier through unknown means. This allowed them to sign in as real users, making the activity harder to detect.

The attack began with emails that appeared routine and business-related. These messages included Microsoft SharePoint links and subject lines suggesting formal documents, such as proposals or confidentiality agreements. To view the files, recipients were asked to authenticate their accounts.

When users clicked the SharePoint link, they were redirected to a fraudulent website designed to look legitimate. The site prompted them to enter their Microsoft login details. By doing so, victims unknowingly handed over valid usernames and passwords to the attackers.

After collecting credentials, the attackers accessed the compromised email accounts from different IP addresses. They then created inbox rules that automatically deleted incoming emails and marked messages as read. This step helped conceal the intrusion and prevented account owners from noticing unusual activity.

Using these compromised inboxes, the attackers launched a second wave of phishing emails. These messages were sent not only to external contacts but also to colleagues and internal distribution lists. Recipients were selected based on recent email conversations found in the victim’s inbox, increasing the likelihood that the messages would appear trustworthy.

In this campaign, the attackers actively monitored inbox responses. They removed automated replies such as out-of-office messages and undeliverable notices. They also read replies from recipients and responded to questions about the legitimacy of the emails. All such exchanges were later deleted to erase evidence.

Any employee within an energy organization who interacted with the malicious links was also targeted for credential theft, allowing the attackers to expand their access further.

Microsoft confirmed that the activity began in January and described it as a short-duration, multi-stage phishing operation that was quickly disrupted. The company did not disclose how many organizations were affected, identify the attackers, or confirm whether the campaign is still active.

Security experts warn that simply resetting passwords may not be enough in these attacks. Because attackers can interfere with multi-factor authentication settings, they may maintain access even after credentials are changed. For example, attackers can register their own device to receive one-time authentication codes.

Despite these risks, multi-factor authentication remains a critical defense against account compromise. Microsoft also recommends using conditional access controls that assess login attempts based on factors such as location, device health, and user role. Suspicious sign-ins can then be blocked automatically.

Additional protection can be achieved by deploying anti-phishing solutions that scan emails and websites for malicious activity. These measures, combined with user awareness, are essential as attackers increasingly rely on stolen identities rather than software flaws.


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malware
Aisuru Android Botnets IP Address malware

Researchers Disrupt Major Botnet Network After It Infects Millions of Android Devices

 


Security researchers have dismantled a substantial portion of the infrastructure powering the Kimwolf and Aisuru botnets, cutting off communication to more than 550 command-and-control servers used to manage infected devices. The action was carried out by Black Lotus Labs, the threat intelligence division of Lumen Technologies, and began in early October 2025.

Kimwolf and Aisuru operate as large-scale botnets, networks of compromised devices that can be remotely controlled by attackers. These botnets have been used to launch distributed denial-of-service attacks and to route internet traffic through infected devices, effectively turning them into unauthorized residential proxy nodes.

Kimwolf primarily targets Android systems, with a heavy concentration on unsanctioned Android TV boxes and streaming devices. Prior technical analysis showed that the malware is delivered through a component known as ByteConnect, which may be installed directly or bundled into applications that come preloaded on certain devices. Once active, the malware establishes persistent access to the device.

Researchers estimate that more than two million Android devices have been compromised. A key factor enabling this spread is the exposure of Android Debug Bridge services to the internet. When left unsecured, this interface allows attackers to install malware remotely without user interaction, enabling rapid and large-scale infection.

Follow-up investigations revealed that operators associated with Kimwolf attempted to monetize the botnet by selling access to the infected devices’ internet connections. Proxy bandwidth linked to compromised systems was offered for sale, allowing buyers to route traffic through residential IP addresses in exchange for payment.

Black Lotus Labs traced parts of the Aisuru backend to residential SSH connections originating from Canadian IP addresses. These connections were used to access additional servers through proxy infrastructure, masking malicious activity behind ordinary household networks. One domain tied to this activity briefly appeared among Cloudflare’s most accessed domains before being removed due to abuse concerns.

In early October, researchers identified another Kimwolf command domain hosted on infrastructure linked to a U.S.-based hosting provider. Shortly after, independent reporting connected multiple proxy services to a now-defunct Discord server used to advertise residential proxy access. Individuals associated with the hosting operation were reportedly active on the server for an extended period.

During the same period, researchers observed a sharp increase in Kimwolf infections. Within days, hundreds of thousands of new devices were added to the botnet, with many of them immediately listed for sale through a single residential proxy service.

Further analysis showed that Kimwolf infrastructure actively scanned proxy services for vulnerable internal devices. By exploiting configuration flaws in these networks, the malware was able to move laterally, infect additional systems, and convert them into proxy nodes that were then resold.

Separate research uncovered a related proxy network built from hundreds of compromised home routers operating across Russian internet service providers. Identical configurations and access patterns indicated automated exploitation at scale. Because these devices appear as legitimate residential endpoints, malicious traffic routed through them is difficult to distinguish from normal consumer activity.

Researchers warn that the abuse of everyday consumer devices continues to provide attackers with resilient, low-visibility infrastructure that complicates detection and response efforts across the internet.

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VPN
https Internet of Things IP Address Privacy Proxy Server VPN

Proxy Servers: How They Work and What They Actually Do



When browsing online, your device usually connects directly to a website’s server. However, in certain cases, especially for privacy, security, or access control — a proxy server acts as a go-between. It stands between your device and the internet, forwarding your web requests and returning responses while showing its own public IP address instead of yours.

According to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a proxy server is essentially a system that handles requests from clients and forwards them to other servers. In simple terms, it’s a digital middleman that manages the communication between you and the websites you visit.


How a Proxy Server Operates

Here’s how the process works:

1. Your computer or device sends a request to the proxy server instead of directly contacting a website.

2. The proxy then forwards that request to the destination site.

3. The site responds to the proxy.

4. The proxy returns the data to your device.

From your perspective, it looks like a normal browsing session, but from the website’s end, the request appears to come from the proxy’s IP address. Proxies can exist as physical network devices or as cloud-based services that users configure through system or browser settings.

Companies often use “reverse proxies” to manage and filter incoming traffic to their web servers. These reverse proxies can block malicious activity, balance heavy traffic loads, and improve performance by caching frequently accessed pages.


Why People Use Proxy Servers

Proxy servers are used for several reasons. They provide a basic layer of privacy by hiding your actual IP address and limiting what websites can track about you. They can also make it appear that you’re browsing from another location, allowing access to region-locked content or websites blocked in your area.

In workplaces and educational institutions, proxies help administrators restrict certain sites, monitor browsing activity, and reduce bandwidth consumption by storing copies of commonly visited web pages. Large organizations also rely on proxies to safeguard internal systems and regulate how employees connect to external networks.


The Limitations and Risks

Despite their advantages, proxy servers have notable limits. They do not encrypt your internet traffic, which means that if your connection is not secured through HTTPS, the information passing through can still be intercepted. Free or public proxy services pose particular risks, they often slow down browsing, log user activity, inject advertisements, or even harvest data for profit.

For users seeking genuine privacy or security, experts recommend using paid, reputable proxy services or opting for a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs extend the idea of a proxy by adding encryption, ensuring that all traffic between the user and the internet is protected.


Proxy vs. VPN vs. NAT

Although proxies, VPNs, and Network Address Translation (NAT) all sit between your device and the wider web, they function differently.

• Proxy: Masks your IP address and filters traffic but does not encrypt your connection.

• VPN: Encrypts all online activity and provides a stronger layer of privacy and security.

• NAT: Operates within routers, allowing multiple devices in a household or office to share one public IP address. It’s a background process, not a privacy tool.

Proxy servers are practical tools for managing internet access, optimizing traffic, and adding basic privacy. However, they should not be mistaken for comprehensive security solutions. Users should view proxies as one layer of digital protection, effective when used properly, but insufficient on their own. For strong privacy, encryption, and security, a VPN remains the more reliable choice.



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Password Privacy
Cyber Defenses cyberattack protection Data protection data security IP Address ISP NordVPN Online Privacy Password Privacy

Using a VPN Is Essential for Online Privacy and Data Protection

 

Virtual Private Networks, or VPNs, have evolved from tools used to bypass geographic content restrictions into one of the most effective defenses for protecting digital privacy and data security. By encrypting your internet traffic and concealing your real IP address, VPNs make it far more difficult for anyone — from hackers to internet service providers (ISPs) — to monitor or intercept your online activity. 

When connected to a VPN, your data is sent through a secure, encrypted tunnel before reaching its destination. This means that any information transmitted between your device and the VPN server remains unreadable to outsiders. Once your data reaches the server, it’s decrypted and forwarded to the intended website or application. In return, the response is re-encrypted before traveling back to you. Essentially, your data is “cloaked” from potential attackers, making it especially valuable when using public Wi-Fi networks, where Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks such as IP spoofing or Wi-Fi eavesdropping are common. 

For businesses, combining VPN usage with endpoint security and antivirus software strengthens overall cybersecurity posture by reducing exposure to network vulnerabilities.

A key advantage of VPNs lies in hiding your IP address, which can otherwise reveal your geographic location and online behavior. Exposing your IP makes you vulnerable to phishing, hacking, and DDoS attacks, and it can even allow malicious actors to impersonate you online. By rerouting your connection through a VPN server, your actual IP is replaced by the server’s, ensuring that websites and external entities can’t trace your real identity or location. 

In addition to safeguarding data, VPNs also help counter ISP throttling — the practice of deliberately slowing internet connections during high-traffic periods or after reaching data caps. With a VPN, your ISP cannot see the exact nature of your online activities, whether streaming, gaming, or torrenting. While ISPs can still detect VPN usage and measure total data transferred, they lose visibility into your specific browsing habits. 

Without a VPN, ISPs can track every website you visit, your search history, and even personal information transmitted over unencrypted connections. This data can be sold to advertisers or used to create detailed user profiles. Even browsing in Incognito mode doesn’t prevent ISPs from seeing your activity — it merely stops your device from saving it locally. 

Beyond using a VPN, good cyber hygiene is crucial. Keep your software and devices updated, use strong passwords, and enable antivirus protection. Avoid sharing unnecessary personal data online and think twice before storing sensitive information on unsecured platforms.  

Ultimately, a VPN isn’t a luxury — it’s a fundamental privacy tool. It protects your data, masks your identity, and keeps your online behavior hidden from prying eyes. In an era of widespread tracking and data monetization, using a VPN is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reclaim your digital privacy.
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Russia links
Cloud Cyber Security Data Safety User Data data security FSB IP Address Messaging Apps Russia Russia links

Telegram’s Alleged Ties to Russian Intelligence Raise Global Surveillance Fears

 

A new investigation by Russian media outlet Important Stories, in collaboration with the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), has sparked fresh scrutiny over Telegram’s connections to Russia’s intelligence services. The popular messaging platform, long regarded for its privacy features, may have indirect links to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), raising significant concerns for users worldwide.

At the center of the probe is a company called Global Network Management (GNM), which plays a critical role in routing Telegram’s messages. Although GNM is officially incorporated in the Caribbean nation of Antigua and Barbuda, it operates primarily from Russia. Its owner, Vladimir Vedeneev, is a Russian engineer with long-standing ties to Telegram founder Pavel Durov. Legal filings show that Vedeneev is the only individual authorized to manage certain Telegram servers, including those based in the U.S. 

Vedeneev also runs other firms—such as Globalnet and Electrontelecom—that reportedly supply telecommunications infrastructure to various Russian state entities, including the FSB. These companies have been linked to classified government projects involving surveillance and defense. 

The IP addresses used by Telegram used to be owned by Russian firms with FSB affiliations. These IPs still appear to be registered in Russia, and might be responsible for allowing user activity to be traced back through Russian-controlled networks. Telegram users typically rely on regular cloud chats, which—unlike its secret chats—are not end-to-end encrypted and are stored on Telegram’s servers. Security analysts warn that if Vedeneev’s companies manage routing systems and network infrastructure, they could potentially access user metadata, including IP addresses, device IDs, and location data. 

Though message content may remain encrypted, this metadata could still be exploited for surveillance. Moreover, Telegram transmits unique device identifiers in an unencrypted format, creating additional vulnerability. Experts caution that Russian intelligence could leverage this data to monitor users, particularly dissidents, journalists, or foreign nationals viewed as threats. Telegram has refuted the claims, stating that it has no employees or servers in Russia and that its infrastructure remains fully under the control of its internal teams. 

The company maintains that no third party, including vendors, can access confidential user data or systems. However, Telegram has yet to directly address the investigation’s core claims regarding GNM, Vedeneev, or the related infrastructure providers. The platform also hasn’t explained how it protects users if server operators have potential intelligence ties or why certain data is still sent without encryption. 

The issue is especially relevant in Ukraine, where Telegram has over 10 million users and is a major source of news and official communication. While President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration uses the app for public updates, growing concerns around disinformation and espionage have prompted discussions about its continued use. 

As the investigation raises critical questions about the app’s security, the broader implications for global digital privacy and national security remain in sharp focus.
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Vulnerabilities and Exploits
China CISA IP Address Ransomware SAP Bug Vulnerabilities and Exploits

Ransomware Hackers Target SAP Servers Through Critical Flaw

 


A newly discovered security hole in SAP’s NetWeaver platform is now being misused by cybercriminals, including ransomware gangs. This flaw allows attackers to run harmful commands on vulnerable systems from a distance—without even needing to log in.

SAP issued urgent software updates on April 24 after learning about the flaw, found in NetWeaver’s Visual Composer tool. The weakness, labeled CVE-2025-31324, makes it possible for attackers to upload files containing malware. Once inside, they can take full control of the affected system.

ReliaQuest, a cybersecurity firm that tracked this issue, now says that two known ransomware groups, RansomEXX and BianLian have joined in. Although they haven’t yet successfully launched any ransomware in these cases, their involvement shows that multiple criminal groups are watching this flaw closely.

Investigators linked BianLian to at least one incident using an IP address tied to their past operations. In another case, RansomEXX attackers used a backdoor tool called PipeMagic and also took advantage of a previously known bug in Microsoft’s Windows system (CVE-2025-29824).

Even though their first effort didn’t succeed, the attackers made another attempt using a powerful hacking framework called Brute Ratel. They delivered it using a built-in Microsoft function called MSBuild, which helped them run the attack in a sneaky way.

More recently, security teams from Forescout and EclecticIQ connected this activity to hackers linked to China. These groups, tracked under various names, were also found to be exploiting the same SAP vulnerability. In fact, they managed to secretly install backdoors on at least 581 SAP systems, including some tied to national infrastructure in the US, UK, and Saudi Arabia. Their plans may also include targeting nearly 2,000 more systems soon.

Experts believe these hidden access points could help foreign state-sponsored hackers gather intelligence, interfere with operations, or even achieve military or economic goals. Since SAP systems are often connected to important internal networks, the damage could spread quickly within affected organizations.

SAP has also fixed another weakness (CVE-2025-42999), which had been silently misused since March. To stay safe, system administrators are advised to apply the patches immediately. If they can’t update right away, disabling the Visual Composer tool can help. They should also restrict access to certain features and monitor their systems closely for anything unusual.

The US government’s cyber agency CISA has officially listed this flaw as a known risk. Federal departments were told to patch their systems by May 20 to avoid falling victim.

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Targeted DDoS
Cyber Arrest Cyber Security CyberCrime Cyerhackers FBI IP Address seizure Targeted DDoS

Coordinated Action Targets DDoS-for-Hire Empire with Arrests and Seizures

 


The Polish authorities have succeeded in dismantling a sophisticated criminal network offering distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) for-hire services to hit the cybercrime infrastructure hard. As the result of a coordinated operation, four people were arrested who were suspected of operating a number of illegal platforms which helped facilitate thousands of cyberattacks in the world.

It is believed that the accused was responsible for six different stressors and booters, namely Cfxapi, Cfxsecurity, Neostress, Jetstress, Quickdown, and Zapcut, which allowed users to launch DDoS attacks at a minimum of €10. During the period 2022-2025, these platforms were designed with ease of use in mind, so that any individual, regardless of their level of technical expertise, could be able to carry out large-scale cyberattacks. 

A user was only required to enter a target IP address, choose the type and duration of an attack, and then submit payment. The service would then flood that system with excessive traffic, disrupting or disabling access to websites and digital infrastructure. 

An extensive range of targets had been compromised in these attacks, including educational institutions, governmental organizations, private companies, and servers that hosted online video games. With the enforcement action, the international community has made a major strides in curbing the growing threat of for-hire cyberattack services, which continues to pose significant risks to the security and stability of the Internet. 

When the suspects were arrested, authorities were able to reveal that they were directly connected to six DDoS-for-hire services, which are alleged to have enabled thousands of cyberattacks since the year 2022. An extensive range of targets were targeted by these attacks, including educational institutions, government organizations, private businesses, as well as online gaming platforms around the world. 

In response to an international coordinated takedown, the platforms were taken down in the form of Cfxapi, CfxSecurity, NeoStress, JetStress, QuickDown, and ZapCut. Even though these services are often promoted as legitimate stress testing tools on the dark web and underground hacking forums, they are primarily exploited to carry out malicious distributed denial of service attacks (DDoS) against websites and servers. 

With the help of such attacks, websites, servers, or networks are overwhelmed with an excessive amount of fake traffic that renders them inaccessible to genuine users, causing significant financial losses and disruptions to businesses. As a result of a collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies from Poland, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United States, the takedown operation highlighted the growing commitment globally to the dismantling of cybercrime networks and protecting digital infrastructure to prevent cybercrime.

In all, six illicit DDoS-for-hire platforms have been accused of operating by those arrested, aged between 19 and 22 years old. These platforms include Cfxapi, CfxSecurity, NeoStress, JetStress, QuickDown, and ZapCut. As a result of these services, individuals could access powerful distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks for as little as €10. Using these platforms, anyone could disrupt any digital infrastructure with little effort on their part. 

Since their introduction in 2022, these platforms have been implicated in attacks that have targeted schools, government websites, private companies, and gaming networks. As per the Central Cybercrime Bureau of Poland (CBZC), the suspects could end up serving a prison sentence of up to five years. It has been reported that law enforcement officers conducted coordinated raids throughout the country, in which a range of digital and physical assets, including computer equipment, mobile phones, SIM cards, payment cards, cryptocurrency wallets containing approximately $30,500 in digital currency, as well as cash and several vehicles, have been seized. 

In contrast with conventional botnet-based attacks, these "booter" or "stresser" services utilize rented infrastructure instead of conventional botnets, allowing users who lack technical expertise to launch disruptive attacks simply by entering the target's IP address and submitting payment, without any additional technical expertise or training. 

In consequence of this streamlined model, cybercriminals have had a significant drop in the barrier to entry, and the frequency and scale of attacks have increased as well. As part of the global crackdown Operation Poweroff spearheaded by Europol and the FBI, as well as participation from law enforcement agencies from several countries, the arrests are part of the latest phase of this crackdown. Authorities seized nine domains that were associated with illegal DDoS-for-hire services as part of the latest phase. 

During a December 2024 operation, a total of 27 such platforms across 15 countries were shut down, 300 users were identified, and three administrators in France and Germany were arrested for using these platforms. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in both the level of technical sophistication and the operational scale of the DDoS-for-hire platforms. 

A notable example is QuickDown's botnet add-on, released in 2023, which allows users to rent compromised networks, thus increasing their attack capabilities significantly. It is becoming increasingly common for platforms like QuickDown to deploy hybrid infrastructures that combine botnets of infected Internet of Things (Iot) devices with proxy networks built on the cloud, dedicated offshore servers, and geo-rotating IP addresses. 

It is well known that the multifaceted architecture of the Internet greatly increases the intensity and duration of attacks, but it also complicates attempts to trace their sources in a very significant manner. There have been several documented instances in which targeted organisations have been subjected to sustained DDoS attacks lasting for days on end. It is common for these campaigns to use a combination of attack vectors to overload and deplete systems' resources, targeting DNS servers, firewalls, and web application firewalls (WAFS) in succession. 

Despite their complexity and persistence, these types of attacks are still posing a significant threat to organizations, which is why it is so important to be prepared for them. Taking down major DDoS-for-hire platforms is a significant victory for international law enforcement, however experts warn that the victory is mostly tactical in nature, rather than a comprehensive one. There is no doubt that it disrupts the criminal infrastructure and serves as a deterrent, but the broader challenge remains. 

Despite the fact that these platforms can be easily recreated, often operating across multiple jurisdictions, and there are new domains popping up every day to take their place from those that have been shut down, cybercriminals are constantly adapting and their infrastructure is decentralised, which is why they are outpacing current enforcement efforts. However, even though this operation represents a significant victory, it is just one step in what has been a long-term campaign against an increasingly agile cyber threat landscape that is constantly evolving. 

The coordinated crackdown included the issuance of cease-and-desist orders by law enforcement agencies across the globe to users of DDoS-for-hire services. Among the warnings was the fact that they made it clear that participating in or enabling cyberattacks would result in legal consequences, as well as dispelling the myth that users could be anonymous by using cryptocurrencies and virtual private networks, as these technologies are not meant to protect individuals from identification. 

This operation has been widely praised by cybersecurity professionals, who view it as an important step in weakening the infrastructure that supports DDoS-for-hire companies. A key component of the enforcement effort is the targeting of both service providers and end users, disrupting the broader supply chain of cybercrime.

An analyst from the Polish threat intelligence community noted that "Every seized domain, every arrested administrator, and every dismantled digital wallet adds friction to these illicit operations," thus indicating that "this initiative is not only a means of deterrence but also a means of enforcement." There has been a reaffirmation by authorities that sustained action is essential, and Europol and the Polish Central Cybercrime Bureau have indicated that more arrests and domain seizures will likely take place as investigations advance. 

Furthermore, organizations worldwide are being urged to improve their strategies for addressing DDoS attacks and to report any suspected cyberattacks as soon as possible. A significant milestone in the battle against cybercrime has been reached with the takedown of this DDoS-for-hire operation, but continued vigilance and international cooperation remain crucial to counteract the ever-evolving threat landscape. 

For the future, the dismantling of this DDoS-for-hire operation will likely serve as a wake-up call for government entities and private businesses alike to reevaluate the cybersecurity postures they have in place and invest proactively in robust digital defences. The role of law enforcement in disrupting cybercriminal infrastructure is critical, but for a system to be long-lasting resilient to such threats, it requires a shared responsibility approach—one in which governments, technology providers, business organizations, and end users all work in tandem to identify vulnerabilities, share threat intelligence, and implement timely countermeasures promptly. 

Whenever an incident occurs, organisations must respond immediately rather than wait for it to escalate. The solution must be to adopt a proactive approach to incident response and recovery, which includes conducting regular risk assessments of the company, deploying adaptive DDoS mitigation tools, educating employees about how to respond to attacks, and establishing clear protocols for incident responses and recovery.

Moreover, the regulatory environment must evolve at the same time as the threat landscape so that legal loopholes can be closed and cross-border cooperation can be conducted swiftly. As digital systems become increasingly interconnected and vital to everyday functioning of a society, complacency has become a necessity. There is a key opportunity here, not just in celebrating tactical victories, but also in thinking about collective strategies in order to build a more secure, resilient, and safe ecosystem for the future that is based on cyber-security and resilience.
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IP Address
CNAME Cyber Security Cyberattacks CyberCrime CyberThreat DNS attacks Fast Flux IP Address

Fast Flux Technique Identified as Growing Risk to US Cyber Infrastructure

 


A sophisticated cybercriminal technique called fast flux is being increasingly employed by cybercriminals, which is causing heightened concerns among intelligence agencies and cybersecurity agencies throughout the world. 

It has been reported in April 2025 that the United States National Security Agency (NSA), in conjunction with allied organizations, has issued a joint cyber advisory warning that fast flux poses a serious threat to national security, as a result of the use of fast flux. As per the advisory, using this technique allows both criminals and state-sponsored threat actors to create command-and-control infrastructures (C2) that are highly resistant to detection and disruption, and that are very difficult to detect or disrupt. 

As a result, the IP addresses of malicious domains are frequently rotated through a network of compromised systems, known as botnets, to create a continuous flow of malicious IP addresses. Defending against cyberattacks is extremely challenging due to the constant flux of IP addresses. This makes it extremely difficult for defenders to identify, track, or block the infrastructure supporting those attacks. 

Therefore, adversaries can conceal their actions and maintain persistent access to targeted systems and networks. It was noted by the National Intelligence Agency that this technique has been employed to facilitate a wide range of malicious operations, such as cyber espionage, phishing schemes, ransomware deployments, and other forms of cybercrime as well. As fast flux is increasingly being adopted by threat actors, it underscores the need for advanced defensive measures, as well as increased international collaboration, in the fight against emerging cyber threats. 

Fast flux is a DNS-based obfuscation technique increasingly used by cybercriminals to evade detection and disrupt conventional security measures to avoid detection. This method of cloaking the true location of malicious servers, as it rapidly alters the IP addresses associated with a domain name, makes it very difficult for cybersecurity teams to identify and eliminate malicious servers. 

By utilizing DNS's dynamic nature, the technique can keep malicious infrastructure running smoothly even when individual IP addresses and servers are discovered and taken down, while utilizing DNS's dynamic nature. It has been found that fast flux can be divided into two distinct types: single flux and double flux. A single flux is defined as a continuous rotation of the IP addresses associated with a domain name. This process usually draws from a large pool of compromised machines to maintain the integrity of the domain name. 

A double flux adds to this complexity by rotating the authoritative name servers as well, further complicating the infrastructure and making tracking harder. By taking advantage of this dynamic and distributed approach, attackers can build highly resilient command-and-control networks based on a global network of infected devices that are capable of maintaining operations for a long time. 

It is a variant of fast flux that introduces a layer of obfuscation and network resiliency to the network by rotating not only the IP addresses that point to a malicious domain, but also the DNS name servers that conduct domain lookups. Double flux adds a level of obfuscation and network resilience. As a result of this method, it becomes much more challenging for cybercriminals to track and dismantle their networks. 

As a result of security analysis, it has been found that DNS records from both Name Server (NS) and Canonical Name (CNAME) are used in double flux configurations, making it even more difficult to trace the root cause of malicious activity. According to a recent advisory issued on Thursday, both single flux and double flux techniques make use of vast networks of compromised hosts that act as proxies and relays, commonly called botnets. 

Consequently, network defenders are unable to identify, block, or pursue legal actions against the infrastructure supporting cyberattacks because of this distributed architecture. Fast flux, with its persistence and evasiveness, has become one of the most popular tactics among cybercriminals as well as government agencies and foreign governments alike. In the world of cyber threats, it has proven its strategic value and prevalence as well as its increasing prevalence. 

To differentiate themselves within the illegal marketplace, bulletproof hosting services, which are geared specifically towards criminal enterprises, use fast flux as part of their operation to harden their operations and distinguish themselves from their competitors. Several ransomware groups, such as Hive and Nefilim, have implemented fast flux into their campaigns to retain control over their infrastructure while avoiding detection by the authorities. 

Moreover, it has been documented that Russian-backed Gamaredon, a group of threat actors associated with the Kremlin, used the technique as part of their cyber espionage activities, highlighting its appeal to state-allied actors involved in geopolitical cyber operations. Cybersecurity experts recommend that a multifaceted defence strategy be developed to prevent fast flux from posing any threat. 

Several key measures include blocking known malicious IP addresses, sinkholing suspicious domains for disruptions in attacker communications, filtering traffic according to domain reputation, and training targeted users about phishing techniques and social engineering. It is crucial to monitor DNS activity constantly for anomalies or strange patterns to detect fast flux networks in advance of their ability to inflict significant damage. 

As a result of fast flux deployment, command-and-control (C2) communications are not the only applications that can be made use of to maintain command-and-control communications—it can also play a crucial role in enabling phishing campaigns by making malicious websites used to conduct social engineering attacks much more difficult to detect, block, or compromise. This method of attack enables phishing infrastructure to persist more effectively by rotating IP addresses and obscuring server locations, giving hackers greater ease in bypassing traditional filtering and takedown mechanisms. 

Furthermore, bulletproof hosting providers are increasingly promoting fast flux as a distinguishing feature in their services, since they can offer resilient and anonymous infrastructure to criminals. A fast flux service provider markets itself as providing a value-added capability that enhances the effectiveness and survivability of malicious operations, such as malware distribution, credential theft, and ransomware deployment. 

In April 2025, a coalition of international cybersecurity authorities issued a joint Cybersecurity Advisory (CSA) to address the growing threats posed by fast-flux networks. As part of the advisory, the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have collaborated. 

Among the Australian Signals Directorate's Australian Cyber Security Centre (ASD's ACSC), the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (CCCS), and the National Cyber Security Centre for New Zealand (NCSC-NZ), there is the Australian Signals Directorate's Australian Cyber Security Centre. As a result of the collaborative effort, it has been made clear that fast flux techniques have global implications and that cross-border coordination is essential to combating this evolving cyber threat. 

As a result of the growing threat of fast flux techniques, the participating agencies are strongly recommending implementing a comprehensive, multilayered defence strategy so that attacks are detected and mitigated accordingly. It is important to utilise real-time threat intelligence feeds to identify suspiciously short DNS record lifespans. Furthermore, anomaly detection across DNS query logs can be implemented, along with DNS record time-to-live (TTL) values being analysed to identify anomalies. 

Network flow data can also help in the early detection of malicious activity, as it can be used as an indicator to identify inconsistent IP geolocations and irregular communication patterns. According to the advisory, several critical mitigation strategies can be used to protect enterprises and organisations from cyber threats. These include blocking domains and IP addresses, reputational filtering of DNS traffic, monitoring and logging of network activity, and educating users about the importance of phishing awareness.

As part of the guidance, it is stressed that collaboration with Internet Service Providers (ISPS), cybersecurity vendors, and particularly Protective DNS (PDNS) providers is essential to ensuring that these countermeasures will be implemented effectively. The coordination of efforts between infrastructure providers is essential to reduce the operational effectiveness of fast flux networks, as well as disrupt the cybercriminal ecosystem which is based on them.
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