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European Police Disrupts Matrix Encrypted Service

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Cybercrime
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Fraud Management & Cybercrime

Platform Used for Drugs, Arms trafficking, and Money Laundering

Akshaya Asokan (asokan_akshaya) •
December 3, 2024    

European Police Disrupts Matrix Encrypted Service
A splash page left by police on the Matrix website. (Image: Europol)

French and Dutch police led the takedown of an encrypted messaging platform used in international drug and arms trafficking, marking the latest in a string of European crackdowns against criminal apps.

See Also: The Healthcare CISO’s Guide to Medical IoT Security

Dutch police discovered the app, named Matrix, on the phone of a criminal convicted in 2021 of murdering a journalist. The infrastructure underpinning the app was more complex than other similar platforms busted by European authorities, including Sky ECC and EncroChat, Europol said Tuesday.

Authorities seized two main servers of the platform, which were located in France and Germany. Police arrested a suspect in France and two others from Spain. Search operations were carried out in Lithuania.

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The detained individuals include a 52-year-old Lithuanian national, the suspected owner and administrator of the messaging service, as well as a 30-year-old Dutch national also suspected of cocaine trafficking. Police confiscated 145,000 euros in cash, half a million euros in cryptocurrency, as well as more than 970 phones.

Investigators said they intercepted messages sent through Matrix for three months before Tuesday’s crackdown, sweeping up more than 2.3 million missives made in dozens of languages.

Dutch police said access to the app required an invitation and a payment for the first six months of service, which ran between 1,300 and 1,600 euros.

With this latest action, European authorities said they have fragmented the criminal market for encrypted chat services, driving criminals into relying on less-secure or custom-built communication tools.

“While the new fragmented landscape poses challenges for law enforcement, the takedown of established communication channels, shows that authorities are on top of the latest technologies that criminals use,” the Europol said.


Matrix is the fifth encrypted messaging service to be disrupted by the European authorities. Other platforms targeted in similar actions include Sky ECC, EncroChat, Exclu and Ghost.





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    Employing Automated Threat Detection

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    Implementing Patch Management Systems

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    Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

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    Automating Security Auditing and Compliance

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    Deploying Automated Data Backups and Recovery

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    Educating Employees with Security Awareness Training

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    Don't underestimate the importance of ethical hacking. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, cybersecurity has never been more pressing. According to a report by Emergen Research, the cybersecurity industry is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.0% to 13.4% from 2022 to 2030. This surge in demand reflects the critical importance of ethical hackers in fortifying digital infrastructure against the relentless onslaught of cyber threats.

    Embracing the Journey: Continuous Learning and Certification for Ethical Hackers

    Becoming an ethical hacker requires diverse skills and knowledge. Understanding the types of hackers is crucial, as it provides insights into how they operate. Armed with this knowledge, ethical hackers delve into cutting-edge tools and techniques. They leverage their skills to identify vulnerabilities and devise countermeasures.

    The responsibilities of an ethical hacker transcend merely identifying weaknesses. They also recommend solutions and implement robust security measures. Their expertise helps organizations fortify their defenses, minimize breaches, and protect sensitive data from falling into the wrong hands.

    The Tools of Ethical Hacking

    Curious about the tools an ethical hacker uses? They have access to a diverse range of tools. These tools allow them to probe and analyze digital systems, uncover weaknesses, and assess the resilience of security measures. While the specific tools vary based on the objectives and preferences of individual ethical hackers, there are several standard tools they employ. 

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    References:

    "Cybersecurity Market, By Component (Hardware, Solution, Service), By Security Type, By Solution, By Application (IT & Telecom, Retail, BFSI, Healthcare, Defense & Government, Manufacturing, Energy, Others), By Region Forecast to 2032". Www.Emergenresearch.Com, 2023, https://www.emergenresearch.com/industry-report/cyber-security-market. Accessed 25 May 2023.

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    PSL’s Easy Guide to Understanding Cybersecurity

    The world of cybersecurity can often feel like a maze of technobabble and obscure acronyms. Yet in an era where our lives increasingly depend on digital infrastructure, it's important to have a basic understanding of the terminology involved. Learning about cybersecurity can help you avoid common mistakes and limit the chance of becoming a victim of these crimes.

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    Worm

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    Trojan

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    Ransomware

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    Spyware

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    3) Phishing

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    4) Firewall

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    5) VPN (Virtual Private Network)

    A VPN masks your internet protocol (IP) address to make your online actions nearly untraceable. VPN services establish encrypted connections to provide much greater privacy while using the internet.

    6) Encryption

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    7) Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

    2FA is a common security process in which users must provide two different authentication factors to gain access to an account. For example, in addition to a password, you might also need to enter a code sent to your phone.

    8) Darknet/Dark Web

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    9) Data Breach

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    10) Botnet

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    Closing Thoughts

    Understanding cybersecurity is not just for the tech-savvy; it's for everyone. We are all potential targets for cyber threats, and comprehension of basic cybersecurity terminology can make a significant difference in safeguarding ourselves and our digital assets.

    Employing cybersecurity measures also helps to keep your digital data safe. This might include using a VPN, enabling two-factor authentication, or simply being wary of suspicious emails to prevent phishing attacks.

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