Mozi Botnet

The Mozi botnet, a form of malware, wreaked havoc on the internet from 2019 to 2023. During this period, it became the largest botnet in existence, incorporating over 1.5 million unique devices into its network. The botnet primarily exploited known vulnerabilities in NETGEAR DGN devices and JAWS web servers, enabling it to infiltrate systems often without the user's knowledge. Once inside, it could disrupt operations, steal personal information, or even hold data for ransom. In August 2023, there was an unexpected and significant drop in the activity of the notorious Mozi botnet. This botnet had gained infamy for exploiting vulnerabilities in hundreds of thousands of IoT devices each year. However, its reign came to an abrupt halt when a kill switch was activated, deliberately shutting down the botnet's operation. This development was first reported on Security Boulevard, a leading source of cybersecurity news and analysis. Following the sudden shutdown of the Mozi botnet, questions arose about who was behind the kill switch activation. Speculation pointed towards either Chinese authorities or criminal operators being responsible for the shutdown. Despite the uncertainty surrounding the identity of those involved, the deactivation of the Mozi botnet marked a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against malicious cyber activities.