French authorities have launched a major operation to clean computers infected with a cyberespionage program that has affected millions of users around the world.
"On the eve of the Olympic Games, this operation shows that we are mobilised to fight against all forms of cybercrime," said Paris prosecutor-general Lore Bequoi, quoted by France 24.
Investigators attacked a network of bots suspected of infecting computers with PlugX malware and stealing data for espionage purposes.
Investigators were able to take control of the server, which controlled millions of infected computers.
The operation began on July 18 and is expected to last several months.
No specific threat to the Paris Olympics has been cited, but the French government's cybersecurity agency warned last week that ransom-demand attacks would be "inevitable" during the Games. | BGNES
