Latest news with #CybercrimeCommand
Independent Singapore
10 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
1,000 malicious IPs taken down in Singapore as Interpol cracks down on infostealer malware in landmark operation
Photo: Interpol SINGAPORE: In one of the most coordinated international cybercrime crackdowns to date, over 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore were wiped from the internet. This comes as part of Operation Secure, a four-month investigation involving law enforcement from 26 countries, targeting a rising digital threat: infostealer malware. What's an infostealer? Think of it as a silent thief lurking inside your device — grabbing your browser passwords, credit card numbers, cookies, crypto wallet keys — and then selling them on the dark web to the highest bidder. These logs are the skeleton keys that cybercriminals use to unlock everything from ransomware deployments to full-blown identity theft and corporate espionage. Interpol's cyber clean-up Photo: Interpol Interpol announced on June 11 that the operation netted serious results: 20,000 IP addresses and domains taken offline 41 command servers seized Over 100 GB of criminal data extracted 32 cyber suspects arrested globally 216,000 victims alerted And among that, Singapore stood out, with 1,000+ local IPs neutralised thanks to joint work by the Singapore Police Force's Cybercrime Command and the Cyber Security Agency (CSA). Singapore responds Assistant Commissioner Paul Tay, head of the Cybercrime Command, noted: 'Our strong collaboration with local and international partners was key to dismantling these networks. We'll continue to work closely with CSA and others to protect Singaporeans and businesses — and we won't hold back against cybercriminals.' The CSA echoed this, pointing out that Singapore's digital economy boom has made cybersecurity more than just an IT issue — it's a national priority. Why you should care Unlike flashy ransomware that announces itself with ultimatums, infostealers hide in plain sight. You might never know your device was infected — until your accounts are drained, your company breached, or your data sold to someone halfway across the world. These tools often sneak in through phishing links, shady downloads, or browser plugins that seem harmless. And once in, they open the door to global-scale cyberattacks. That's why Operation Secure isn't just a cyber-police milestone — it's a global wake-up call. See also Labubu mania: Once a toy, now a $150,000 investment phenomenon The bigger picture As governments, hospitals, banks, and even homes become increasingly digitised, cybersecurity can't stay local. The threats don't respect borders, and now, finally, the response doesn't either. Operation Secure shows what's possible when agencies share intelligence, cross jurisdictions, and strike before the damage is done. It also makes this clear: Cybercrime is no longer a faceless digital nuisance — it's a threat to everyday lives, economies, and national security. And the world is watching how we respond.
New Paper
2 days ago
- New Paper
Over 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore taken down in Interpol-led crackdown
More than 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore were taken down in a four-month Interpol-led operation involving law enforcement agencies in 26 countries. The joint operation - dubbed Operation Secure - was conducted between January and April 2025, and targeted a type of malware known as "infostealers". According to Interpol, infostealers are tools for gaining unauthorised access to organisational networks. This type of malicious software extracts sensitive data from infected devices, including browser credentials, passwords, cookies, credit card details and cryptocurrency wallet data. Logs harvested by infostealers are increasingly traded by cyber criminals and frequently used as a gateway for further attacks, Interpol said in a statement on June 11. These logs often enable initial access for ransomware deployments, data breaches and cyber-enabled fraud schemes, it added. Interpol said Operation Secure managed to take down 20,000 malicious IP addresses and domains, seize 41 servers and over 100 gigabytes of data, and nab 32 suspects. More than 1,000 of these IP addresses were in Singapore, taken down with the joint efforts of the Cybercrime Command - under the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force - and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). Interpol said over 216,000 victims and potential victims were notified, so they could change their passwords, freeze their accounts or remove unauthorised access. The Singapore police said on June 11 that its active participation in Operation Secure "reinforces (its) commitment to safeguarding Singaporeans from increasingly sophisticated cyber crime". "Our strong collaboration with key local and international partners in Operation Secure was a key success factor in dismantling these cyber-criminal networks," said Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Tay, head of the Cybercrime Command. "We will continue to work with CSA and other like-minded partners to protect Singaporeans and businesses from threats in cyber space, and will spare no effort to disrupt cyber criminals and their operations," he added.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Over 1,000 malicious IP addresses taken down in Singapore
An Interpol-led operation took down some 20,000 malicious IP addresses over a four-month period. PHOTO: REUTERS Over 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore taken down in Interpol-led crackdown SINGAPORE - More than 1,000 malicious IP addresses in Singapore were taken down in a four-month Interpol-led operation involving law enforcement agencies in 26 countries. The joint operation – dubbed Operation Secure – was conducted between January and April 2025, and targeted a malware known as ' infostealers '. According to Interpol, infostealers are tools for gaining unauthorised access to organisational networks. This type of malicious software extracts sensitive data from infected devices, including browser credentials, passwords, cookies, credit card details and cryptocurrency wallet data. Logs harvested by infostealers are increasingly traded by cybercriminals and frequently used as a gateway for further attacks, Interpol said in a statement on June 11. These logs often enable initial access for ransomware deployments, data breaches and cyber-enabled fraud schemes, it added. Interpol said Operation Secure managed to take down 20,000 malicious IP addresses and domains, seize 41 servers and over 100 gigabytes of data, and nab 32 suspects. More than 1,000 of these IP addresses were in Singapore, taken down with the joint efforts of the Cybercrime Command - under the Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore Police Force - and the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore (CSA). Interpol said over 216,000 victims and potential victims were notified, so they could change their passwords, freeze their accounts or remove unauthorised access. The Singapore police said on June 11 its active participation in Operation Secure 'reinforces (its) commitment to safeguarding Singaporeans from increasingly sophisticated cybercrime'. 'Our strong collaboration with key local and international partners in Operation Secure was a key success factor in dismantling these cybercriminal networks,' said Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Tay , head of the Cybercrime Command. 'We will continue to work with CSA and other like-minded partners to protect Singaporeans and businesses from threats in cyberspace; and will spare no effort to disrupt cyber criminals and their operations,' he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
