THE U.S. Treasury has sanctioned a VPN provider, 1VPNS, and an individual, Yegeniy Vladimirovich Silayev, for facilitating ransomware operations that have resulted in billions of dollars in losses to U.S. businesses and critical infrastructure. The sanctions target both the suppliers of ransomware tools and the networks they support. 1VPNS primarily served ransomware actors, promoting privacy while enabling malicious activities.
The action follows a prior law enforcement effort that dismantled 1VPNS, leading to the exposure of its user database. Silayev is noted for selling cryptors, which disguise malware, enhancing their effectiveness against security systems. The initiative aligns with commitments to disrupt global cybercrime.