EU, US Sanction Companies Exploiting Cloud Giants for Cybercrime
Stark Industries Solutions, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), has been sanctioned by the European Union for aiding Russian state-sponsored activities. Meanwhile, the U.S. has sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company, for facilitating virtual currency investment scams. Both companies have exploited major cloud providers like Amazon and Microsoft.
Stark Industries Solutions, an Internet Service Provider (ISP), has been used to conceal the source of cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns against enemies of Russia. The EU has sanctioned the Moldovan brothers, Ivan and Yuri Neculiti, who co-founded the company. The U.S. has also taken action against Funnull Technology Inc., which operates as a content delivery network for cybercriminals. Funnull facilitates 'pig butchering' scams, resulting in over $200 million in U.S. victim-reported losses.
Both companies have exploited major cloud providers. Amazon and Microsoft have been used by Funnull, with Amazon struggling to remove the company's presence despite pledging to do so. Amazon Web Services (AWS) continues to face ongoing abuse from the FUNNULL criminal network, which repeatedly rents fresh IP addresses within AWS to maintain malicious infrastructure. Stronger real-time blocking, tighter API key governance, and improved network controls are still needed to fully remove FUNNULL servers from AWS networks.
The sanctions against Stark Industries Solutions and Funnull Technology Inc. aim to disrupt their activities and protect potential victims. Both companies have exploited cloud providers, highlighting the need for stricter measures to prevent the misuse of such services. The ongoing efforts to remove Funnull's presence from Amazon's networks demonstrate the complexity of dealing with persistent cybercrime threats.
