US, Germany, Canada Disrupt Botnets Infecting Millions

International law enforcement operation takes down infrastructure of major malware networks

Mar. 22, 2026 at 5:07am

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Law enforcement agencies in the United States, Germany, and Canada have conducted a joint operation to take down the infrastructure used by four major botnets that infected more than 3 million devices worldwide. Searches were conducted at the residences of suspects in Germany and Canada, and extensive evidence was seized.

Why it matters

Botnets are networks of infected devices that can be used by cybercriminals to launch large-scale attacks, distribute malware, and steal sensitive data. This coordinated international effort to disrupt these botnets is an important step in combating the growing threat of cybercrime and protecting internet users globally.

The details

The operation targeted the infrastructure behind four major botnets that had infected over 3 million devices globally. Law enforcement agencies in the US, Germany, and Canada worked together to identify the individuals responsible and seize evidence from their residences in Germany and Canada.

  • The operation was carried out on March 22, 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice

The U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice.

German Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies in Germany that participated in the joint operation.

Canadian Law Enforcement

Law enforcement agencies in Canada that participated in the joint operation.

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What’s next

The seized evidence will be analyzed by the participating law enforcement agencies to identify the individuals behind the botnets and bring them to justice.

The takeaway

This coordinated international operation demonstrates the importance of global cooperation in disrupting large-scale cybercrime networks and protecting internet users worldwide from the growing threat of malware and botnets.