Alleging that VPNLab.net was being used for ransomware deployment and other cybercrime activities, the virtual private network service provider was shut down by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) on January 18, as per a post on the agency's website. Law enforcement authorities led by the Central Crime Office of the Hannover Police Department in Germany, seized or disrupted 15 servers that hosted VPNLab.net's service, rendering it no longer available. Other agencies that took part in the operation include the FBI and the National Crime Agency in UK. Upon visiting the site, this reporter came across a message which says that the domain has been seized. "This service provided a platform for the anonymous commission of high value cybercrime cases, and was involved in several major international cyberattacks," the message further reads. VPN services are increasingly coming under the scanner of lawmakers and law enforcement agencies in various countries. Recently, an Indian parliamentary committee proposed banning such services for their purported role in enabling cyber crime. VPNLab.net was used for illicit activities: Europol "Law enforcement took interest in the provider after multiple investigations uncovered criminals using the VPNLab.net service to facilitate illicit activities such as malware distribution. Other cases showed the service’s use in the setting up of infrastructure and communications behind ransomware campaigns, as well as the actual deployment of ransomware." — Europol Europol, as a result of this investigation, has identified more than 100 business that are at risk of cyberattacks. The agency said that it is working…
