Google, working alongside the FBI and other law enforcement agencies, announced that it has dismantled the massive NetNut cyber network, which investigators say hijacked at least two million internet-connected devices worldwide and turned them into tools for cybercriminals.

According to Google, the network infected smart TVs, streaming boxes, and Android devices, converting them into proxy servers that allowed hackers to disguise their online activity behind the home internet connections of unsuspecting users.

The compromised devices enabled cybercriminals to launch attacks while appearing to originate from legitimate residential IP addresses, making it significantly harder for internet providers, security companies, and organizations to identify and block malicious activity.

Investigators said some devices were infected before they were even sold to consumers, while others were compromised after users installed malicious applications. Google said its Play Protect security system has detected and blocked infected apps and has begun notifying users whose devices may have been affected.

Authorities said the network was used for password-spraying attacks, attempts to access corporate networks, and bypassing geographic restrictions by routing internet traffic through legitimate-looking home connections.

As part of the operation, the FBI seized key domains used by the network, including **netnut.com**, while Google shut down cloud services and accounts used to operate the infrastructure, effectively severing communications with infected devices.

Google said it has also shared technical information with cybersecurity researchers and other technology companies in an effort to prevent the network from resurfacing under a different name.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)