The Dutch Team High Tech Crime, in a significant collaborative effort with international partners, has successfully dismantled the notorious counter-antivirus service known as AVCheck. This platform had gained notoriety among cybercriminals globally, serving as a tool to render malware undetectable. The Dutch police assert that this decisive action will help shield countless potential victims from the clutches of cybercrime.
AVCheck stood as one of the largest counter-antivirus services in the world, providing malware developers with the means to test their malicious software against various antivirus programs. By identifying which security measures could detect their creations, these criminals were able to refine their malware, ensuring it evaded detection by security software.
The service was a key player in the cybercriminal ecosystem, enabling undetected malware to proliferate and create new victims. Such undetected malware grants criminals unauthorized access to computer systems, allowing them to harvest sensitive information and potentially paralyze entire organizations.
International cooperation
This operation was the culmination of a coordinated effort involving the Netherlands, the United States, and Finland. The High Tech Crime Team of the National Investigation and Intervention Unit executed the operation under the auspices of the National Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“Taking the AVCheck service offline marks an important step in the fight against organized cybercrime,” stated Matthijs Jaspers, team leader at Team High Tech Crime. “This allows us to disrupt cybercriminals as early as possible in their operations and prevent victims from falling prey to them.”
Evidence gathered against users
The investigation not only led to the shutdown of AVCheck but also uncovered crucial evidence regarding its administrators and users. Additionally, information was collected on users of associated services such as Cryptor.biz and Crypt.guru.
Beyond the service’s termination, Team High Tech Crime implemented broader interventions, including the launch of a fake login page designed to address, warn, and deter AVCheck users. Collaborations were also established with antivirus organizations as part of Project Melissa.
This action is intricately linked to Operation Endgame, which previously dismantled several malware services that were instrumental in gaining initial access to victim networks.
Tip: International ‘Operation Endgame’ deals sensitive blow to cyber criminals.