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Introduction
In a sweeping international crackdown, law enforcement agencies have brought down a sophisticated cybercrime operation offering advanced tools to help hackers bypass antivirus systems. Known as âcrypting services,â these platforms enabled malicious software to go undetected, empowering cybercriminals to inflict greater damage with stealth. The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ), in collaboration with Dutch and Finnish authorities, seized multiple websites central to the operation, marking a significant milestone in the global fight against cyber threats.
This article examines the dismantling of this underground service network, its global implications, and the rapidly evolving strategies of cybercriminals who constantly adapt to bypass security systems. With insights from law enforcement and cybersecurity experts, we uncover how these services functioned and what their takedown means for the future of cybersecurity.
the Takedown Operation
A multinational effort led by the U.S. Department of Justice, with support from authorities in the Netherlands, Finland, France, Germany, Denmark, Portugal, and Ukraine, successfully shut down a notorious online service catering to cybercriminals. On May 27, 2025, four domainsâincluding AvCheck[.]net, Cryptor[.]biz, and Crypt[.]guruâwere seized and now display official seizure notices.
These domains specialized in crypting services, a technique used to modify malware so it can bypass antivirus detection. Such services often integrate counter-antivirus (CAV) tools, allowing threat actors to test and tweak their malicious code against top-tier antivirus engines. For example, AvCheck[.]net allowed users to scan files using 26 antivirus engines and test domains/IPs against 22 more, providing detailed insights into what would or wouldnât trigger security alerts.
Authorities, including undercover agents, purchased access to these services and confirmed their use in real-world cyberattacks. AvCheck was described by Dutch officials as one of the largest CAV platforms serving cybercriminals worldwide.
This seizure is part of Operation Endgame, a broader initiative launched in 2024 to dismantle cybercrime infrastructure. It follows recent crackdowns on Lumma Stealer, DanaBot, and various malware delivery networks. FBI Houston emphasized the growing sophistication of cybercriminals, who now rely on tools like cryptors to fine-tune their malware for maximum effectiveness and stealth.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity firm eSentire reported on PureCrypter, a malware-as-a-service (MaaS) tool sold via Telegram by a user named PureCoder. The tool is available under subscription and integrates numerous evasion tacticsâsuch as DLL unhooking, anti-debugging, anti-VM detection, and AMSI bypassâto defeat modern endpoint security. Notably, PureCrypter can patch the NtManageHotPatch API in Windows 24H2, enabling advanced code injection through process hollowing.
Although these tools are often marketed as âeducational,â PureCoderâs own usage agreement does little to prevent malicious deployment. Despite being advertised as “Fully Undetected” (FUD) using AvCheck results, independent scans on VirusTotal reveal that these claims are misleading, highlighting the need for more transparent testing and detection standards.
What Undercode Say: đŹ
The dismantling of AvCheck and similar platforms reveals several deep-rooted issues in the cybersecurity ecosystem:
1. Commercialization of Cybercrime
What stands out is how professional and well-organized these services have become. Threat actors are now operating like SaaS companiesâcomplete with customer support, pricing tiers, and even ToS agreements that falsely claim âeducational use only.â The cost of entry to sophisticated cybercrime has never been lower.
2. Crypting Services Fuel Malware Innovation
Crypting platforms such as AvCheck are essential to modern malware campaigns. They allow bad actors to iterate quickly and improve their code until it becomes virtually invisible to traditional security tools. This explains the persistence of ransomware and info-stealers in the wildâtools like these accelerate innovation.
3. Law Enforcement Collaboration Is Critical
No single country can combat cybercrime alone. Operation Endgame shows how international collaboration can successfully dismantle widespread services. Seizing domains and servers disrupts the infrastructure cybercriminals rely on, making it harder for them to coordinate attacks.
4. Emerging Malware-as-a-Service Ecosystem
PureCrypter is a prime example of the evolving MaaS ecosystem. It offers plug-and-play malware for users who may not even have technical skills. These tools are distributed via platforms like Telegram, bypassing traditional monitoring channels and creating anonymous markets for malicious tools.
5. Security Vendors Must Adapt
Traditional antivirus methods are not enough. As tools like PureCrypter incorporate techniques to defeat memory-level protections, security vendors must embrace AI, behavior-based detection, and real-time threat intelligence. Signature-based systems are increasingly ineffective.
6. Ethical Grey Areas in Threat Marketing
The disclaimers used by PureCoder claiming educational intent are laughable and legally questionable. These ToS statements are designed to create plausible deniability but should not be taken at face value. Regulators and platforms need to address this loophole with stricter policy enforcement.
7. False Sense of Security from FUD Labels
Marketing malware as “Fully Undetected” misleads buyers and complicates the job of defenders. The discrepancy between AvCheck results and VirusTotal scans shows how testing can be manipulated. Standardized evaluation across multiple platforms is essential to avoid deception.
8. Rise of Telegram as a Dark Market
With encrypted messaging and automation features, Telegram has become a go-to platform for selling illegal tools. The @ThePureBot Telegram channel selling crypters and logs is just one example of how threat actors are moving away from traditional forums and embracing more secure, less monitored ecosystems.
𧪠Fact Checker Results:
â
Claim: AvCheck and similar platforms helped cybercriminals bypass antivirus software â True.
â
Claim: PureCrypter was used to distribute info stealers like Lumma â Verified.
â ď¸ Claim: FUD results from AvCheck reflect real-world undetectability â Misleading.
đŽ Prediction:
As crypting services are taken down, cybercriminals will migrate toward decentralized, encrypted platforms and use AI-enhanced malware to evade next-gen detection systems. Expect the rise of fully automated evasion suites, malware tailored with real-time feedback from compromised systems, and stronger integration with zero-day exploits. Law enforcement will continue to escalate operations like Endgame, but the battle will shift increasingly to encrypted and anonymized channels like Telegram, Matrix, and decentralized darknets.
References:
Reported By: thehackernews.com
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