Breaking Down Threat Classifications Across the Internet

At FraudGuard.io, our global network of honeypots collects valuable data on malicious IP activity, helping us categorize threats into several classifications. We share this data with customers who subscribe to our Enterprise API, allowing them to integrate real-time threat intelligence into their security infrastructure.

In this blog post, we dive into the findings from our anonymous_tracker, botnet_tracker, honeypot_tracker, abuse_tracker, and spam_tracker classifications. By analyzing the geographic origins of malicious activity, we can better understand the global landscape of online threats.

Anonymous Tracker: Anonymization Networks Fueling Global Risk

The anonymous_tracker classification identifies IP addresses linked to anonymization services, such as VPNs and proxies. These addresses often hide the true identity of the user and are frequently used for malicious activities.

Top 5 Countries for Anonymous Activity

  • United States (327,979 IPs): The U.S. leads the way in anonymous activity, primarily due to the prevalence of VPNs and cloud services like AWS. This shows that many actors—both legitimate and malicious—rely on anonymization tools within U.S.-based infrastructure.

  • China (115,105 IPs): In China, anonymization services are widely used to circumvent censorship. This contributes to a high volume of anonymous traffic, raising concerns about both privacy and cybercrime.

  • Russia (97,649 IPs): Russia’s well-documented cyber activities are reflected in the high number of anonymous IP addresses, often used for state-sponsored operations or underground cybercrime.

  • Germany (54,138 IPs): A privacy-conscious country, Germany hosts many VPNs and proxies, making it a significant source of anonymized traffic.

  • Ukraine (45,898 IPs): Ukraine’s role as both a victim and perpetrator in cyber conflict has led to the frequent use of anonymization services.

Key Takeaway: Anonymization networks are global, with hotspots in the U.S., China, and Russia. These networks can be used for both legitimate privacy needs and malicious purposes, making it vital to monitor IP addresses from these regions closely.

Botnet Tracker: The Rise of Compromised Machines

Our botnet_tracker classification identifies IP addresses involved in botnets—networks of compromised machines controlled by malicious actors. These botnets are often used for coordinated attacks, malware distribution, or DDoS attacks.

Top 5 Countries for Botnet Activity

  • United States (106,372 IPs): The U.S. far exceeds other countries in botnet activity, suggesting that compromised systems within cloud infrastructure and residential networks are being leveraged for cyberattacks.

  • Russia (14,020 IPs): Russia’s cybercriminal landscape heavily uses botnets for various illicit activities, from spamming to large-scale cyberattacks.

  • China (8,699 IPs): China, with its vast internet user base, also contributes significantly to global botnet activity.

  • Canada (7,426 IPs): Canada’s infrastructure is increasingly being used to support botnets, making it a growing concern in the botnet landscape.

  • Bulgaria (6,879 IPs): Surprisingly, Bulgaria emerges as a notable source of botnet activity, reflecting its role as a host for compromised servers.

Key Takeaway: Botnet activity is widespread, with the United States leading the charge. Cybercriminals often target machines in cloud infrastructure and residential networks, underscoring the need for robust detection mechanisms.

Honeypot Tracker: Direct Insights from FraudGuard.io’s Honeypots

The honeypot_tracker classification flags IP addresses that have directly interacted with our decoy systems. These honeypots are designed to attract and study malicious actors, providing a window into emerging threats.

Top 5 Countries for Honeypot Activity

  • China (62,360 IPs): China ranks highest in honeypot interactions, suggesting a high level of probing and exploitation attempts originating from the country.

  • United States (46,317 IPs): The U.S. sees a significant amount of activity targeting our honeypots, reflecting the global nature of cyberattacks.

  • Singapore (22,765 IPs): Singapore’s status as a technology hub makes it a frequent target for cybercriminals testing out new methods of attack.

  • Germany (8,941 IPs): Germany’s role in hosting infrastructure makes it another common source of malicious activity detected by our honeypots.

  • India (7,404 IPs): India’s growing internet user base has made it a more prominent player in the honeypot landscape.

Key Takeaway: Honeypot interactions reveal the intensity of attack probing in countries like China and the U.S. This data provides invaluable insights into where cybercriminals are testing their tactics.

Abuse Tracker: Monitoring Abusive Online Behavior

The abuse_tracker classification focuses on IP addresses involved in abusive activities, such as phishing, spamming, or other forms of misconduct. These addresses are flagged for close monitoring or blocking.

Top 5 Countries for Abusive Activity

  • United States (48,216 IPs): The U.S. tops the list again, reflecting the diverse range of abuse coming from cloud and residential networks.

  • India (10,010 IPs): India’s growing involvement in cybercrime is evident in its high number of abusive IPs, particularly in the realms of spamming and phishing.

  • China (8,058 IPs): China’s role in both spamming and hacking activities continues to grow, contributing significantly to abusive behavior online.

  • Russia (6,370 IPs): Russia’s cybercriminal ecosystem also plays a role in generating abusive traffic, including phishing and brute-force attacks.

  • Brazil (5,889 IPs): Brazil emerges as a notable source of abusive behavior, including spamming and hacking attempts.

Key Takeaway: Abusive online behavior is rampant across the globe, with countries like the U.S. and India playing prominent roles. Monitoring and blocking IPs from these regions is crucial to reducing the impact of spam and phishing attacks.

Spam Tracker: Global Sources of Spamming Activities

The spam_tracker classification identifies IP addresses involved in spamming activities, which are often used for phishing attacks or spreading malware via unsolicited emails.

Top 5 Countries for Spam Activity

  • United States (23,345 IPs): The U.S. is a significant source of spam traffic, reflecting the country’s role in global cyber operations.

  • India (17,477 IPs): India is a close second, with spamming activities often tied to phishing campaigns and scams targeting both local and international victims.

  • Russia (6,197 IPs): Russia’s involvement in spamming is tied to its larger cybercrime ecosystem, often linked to phishing and malware distribution.

  • Vietnam (6,189 IPs): Vietnam has emerged as a surprising player in the spam ecosystem, with increasing levels of unsolicited email traffic.

  • Pakistan (5,978 IPs): Pakistan’s growing cyber landscape includes a notable contribution to global spam traffic.

Key Takeaway: Spam remains a pervasive threat, with key players like the U.S. and India responsible for a significant portion of global spamming activities. Countries such as Vietnam and Pakistan are also rising in prominence in the spam landscape.

Conclusion: Understanding the Global Threat Landscape

The data collected from our honeypot network and classified into anonymous, botnet, honeypot, abuse, and spam trackers reveals a fascinating global spread of malicious activity. Each classification tells a unique story about how different regions contribute to various types of online threats.

By leveraging FraudGuard.io’s API, customers can integrate this data into their security infrastructure, enabling them to detect, monitor, and block malicious IPs before they cause harm. As the global threat landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of these emerging threats is more important than ever.