New Delhi: Google has disrupted what it described as one of the world’s largest residential proxy networks, significantly reducing the number of consumer devices being exploited by cybercriminals and state-linked threat actors. The action, announced this week, targeted infrastructure associated with a network known as IPIDEA, which allegedly enabled malicious actors to route internet traffic through hijacked household devices to conceal illicit activity.
Residential proxy services allow operators to mask the origin of online actions by channelling traffic through real consumer IP addresses. Security experts warn that such networks are frequently abused for fraud, cyber espionage, data theft and large-scale abuse campaigns, making them difficult to detect and block.
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Millions of devices removed from proxy pool
According to Google, the coordinated operation has caused a significant degradation of IPIDEA’s operations, cutting down the pool of compromised devices available to proxy operators by millions. The company said the disruption was aimed at protecting ordinary users whose devices were unknowingly being used as part of criminal infrastructure.
The action was led by the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG) and involved a combination of legal measures and technical safeguards. Google said it obtained court approval to seize key domains that were being used to control infected devices, effectively dismantling command-and-control systems critical to the network’s functioning.
Android protections rolled out
As part of the effort, Google also introduced automatic protections for Android users through its Play Protect security system. These measures were designed to block malicious activity linked to the proxy network and prevent further abuse of infected devices.
Google said the protections were rolled out without requiring user intervention, reducing the risk of continued exploitation while investigations remain ongoing.
Scale of the network revealed
Investigators found that IPIDEA operated through at least 13 different residential proxy brands, all of which were taken offline during the operation. The scale of the ecosystem highlighted how fragmented branding was used to obscure the true size of the network and evade detection.
In addition, Google identified over 600 Android applications and 3,075 unique Windows files that were connected to IPIDEA’s command-and-control infrastructure. These applications and files were allegedly used to silently enrol devices into the proxy network, often without clear user awareness or consent.
Rising threat from proxy abuse
Cybersecurity analysts say residential proxy abuse has emerged as a growing threat vector, as traffic originating from legitimate consumer IP addresses is less likely to trigger automated security alerts. This allows malicious actors to bypass defences used by financial institutions, governments and online platforms.
The use of compromised consumer devices also raises privacy and security risks for individuals, including slower performance, increased data usage and potential exposure to further malware infections.
Broader implications for platform security
Google’s action comes amid increasing scrutiny of how malicious software spreads through legitimate app ecosystems, particularly on mobile platforms. While app stores maintain review and security policies, threat actors continue to exploit gaps to distribute harmful tools at scale.
The latest disruption underscores the need for continuous monitoring, cross-platform intelligence sharing and swift legal intervention, experts say, as proxy networks evolve rapidly and reconstitute under new identities.
Ongoing monitoring
Google said it will continue to track attempts to rebuild similar proxy infrastructures and strengthen automated detection systems across its platforms. Further action, including additional domain seizures and app removals, has not been ruled out.
For cybersecurity observers, the takedown marks a significant but ongoing battle against the industrial-scale misuse of consumer devices, highlighting how everyday users increasingly sit at the frontline of global cyber conflicts.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
