NetNut

Google, the FBI, and partners disrupted the NetNut botnet, which used hijacked consumer devices as residential proxies. The operation reduced the botnet's device pool by millions through account disabling, infrastructure sharing, and app warnings. NetNut tricked users into installing malicious apps under the guise of 'bandwidth sharing' payouts.

A joint operation involving Google has disrupted NetNut, a residential proxy network that provided access to millions of compromised Android devices, including smart TVs and streaming boxes. The disruption cut off 2 million infected devices from the network.

Google, the FBI, and other tech companies have significantly disrupted the NetNut residential proxy network, which had at least 2 million devices in its botnet, primarily small TV-streaming hardware. The operation aims to hinder cybercriminals who use residential proxies to mask malicious activities by making traffic appear legitimate.