TechnologyTechRadarThu, May 21, 2026, 1:29 PMNegative

European law enforcement forces pull the plug on this free VPN in massive cybercrime crackdown —here's all we know

Europol and Eurojust have conducted a significant operation to dismantle 'First VPN,' a free VPN service reportedly utilized by cybercriminals to obscure their identities while executing ransomware and fraud schemes. This crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime on a global scale.

WPN Brief

  • What Happened

    Europol and Eurojust have conducted a significant operation to dismantle 'First VPN,' a free VPN service reportedly utilized by cybercriminals to obscure their identities while executing ransomware and fraud schemes. This crackdown highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat cybercrime on a global scale.

  • Why It Matters

    The closure of 'First VPN' may disrupt the operations of cybercriminals who relied on this tool for anonymity, signaling a potential shift in the landscape of online crime and the tools available to perpetrators, while also raising concerns about the implications for privacy and internet freedom.

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