AMSTERDAM: Judicial authorities from several countries have disrupted the activities of international data thieves in a coordinated operation.

The EU Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation (Eurojust) in The Hague said on Tuesday that so-called infostealer software had been used to target data belonging to millions of Internet users.

The malware, named RedLine and META, were said to be used for operating "one of the largest malware platforms globally."

The programmes were reportedly running on more than 1,200 servers across various countries. According to Eurojust, the action on Monday to coordinate the shutdown of the malware involved judicial authorities from the Netherlands and the United States, along with those from Belgium, Portugal, the United Kingdom and Australia.

Three of the main servers for acquiring the malware were reportedly shut down in the Netherlands, and two domains were seized.

In the US, charges were filed against several alleged perpetrators, while in Belgium two individuals were arrested.

Authorities also secured a database of customers who had obtained the RedLine and META programmes. Investigations into criminals who may have used the programmes to steal data will continue, Eurojust said.

Eurojust directed potential victims to an online tool specifically set up by a security company, allowing them to check whether their data had been leaked.

 – dpa