Dutch Authorities Take Down Major Botnet of 17 Million Infected Devices

On May 29, 2026, the Dutch National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and police dismantled a significant botnet consisting of at least 17 million infected devices, including computers and smart devices. The botnet was discovered following a report from a security researcher, leading to an investigation that identified 200 servers in the Netherlands controlling the network. These servers were seized from a hosting provider, which took the botnet offline due to its criminal use. Botnets are utilized for various illegal activities, including cyberattacks and sending spam. The operation highlights the ongoing threat posed by such networks and the importance of securing consumer devices against malware. Recommendations for device owners include implementing security measures to prevent infection.

Key Points: • A botnet of at least 17 million devices was taken offline by Dutch authorities. • 200 servers located in the Netherlands were identified and seized during the operation. • The botnet was discovered following a report from a security researcher to the NCSC.