VPNLab
{{Short description|Criminal VPN service}}
VPNLab was a VPN service that catered to cyber criminals. The service was seized and shut down by Europol in January 2022.{{cite web |url=https://thehackernews.com/2022/01/europol-shuts-down-vpnlab.html |title=Europol Shuts Down VPNLab, Cybercriminals' Favourite VPN Service |website=The Hacker News |date=18 January 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://cybernews.com/news/europol-shuts-down-vpnlab-net/|title=Europol shuts down VPNLab.net | CyberNews|date=18 January 2022 }}
History
VPNLab was created in 2008. The service advertised VPN servers in multiple countries and offered {{clarify|date=February 2025|reason=What is meant by "double encryption"?|text=double encryption.}} The service was known for providing services to cybercriminals, specifically ransomware authors.{{cite web |url=https://blog.malwarebytes.com/reports/2022/01/cybercriminals-friend-vpnlab-net-shut-down-by-law-enforcement/ |title=Cybercriminals' friend VPNLab.net shut down by law enforcement |website=Blog.MalwareBytes.com |date=19 January 2022 |access-date=14 March 2022}} The site accepted a variety of payment methods, including WebMoney and Bitcoin. The "DoubleVPN" service was offered for $129 per year.{{cite web |url=http://vpnlab.net/openvpn/home.hs?lambda=tariffs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327115728/http://vpnlab.net/openvpn/home.hs?lambda=tariffs |archive-date=2016-03-27 |title=VPN Lab :: This domain has been seized}} The owners advertised the website on the dark web.{{Cite web|url=https://www.securityweek.com/vpnlab-goes-down-after-servers-seized-law-enforcement-operation|title=VPNLab Goes Down After Servers Seized in Law Enforcement Operation | SecurityWeek.Com|website=www.securityweek.com|date=18 January 2022 }}
Raid and shutdown
On January 17, 2022, Europol, along with other national law enforcement agencies seized VPNLab's domain. As of January 19, 2022, no arrests were made. Along with Europol, the FBI (United States), Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (France), and National Crime Agency (United Kingdom) were involved in the site raid.