Just ahead the Paris Olympics 2024, the France authorities have started an operation to clean up the computers infected by a cyber-espionage programme.
Paris chief prosecutor Laure Beccuau stated that the operation, timed just before the Olympics, shows France’s commitment to combating cybercrime both domestically and internationally.
Investigators are focusing on a bot network suspected of spreading PlugX malware, which has been used to steal data, including for espionage purposes. They have managed to take control of a server managing millions of these infected computers and are currently applying a fix.
The operation started on July 18 and is expected to continue for several months. It has already assisted victims across multiple European countries. While the statement did not mention a specific threat to the Paris Olympics, the French government’s cyber security agency had previously warned that ransomware attacks are likely during the Games, which begin on Friday.
