The ZServers/XHost case: a blow against cybercrime

On February 13, 2025, the Dutch police carried out a spectacular raid against the bulletproof hosting provider ZServers/XHost. Investigators confiscated 127 servers that served as a secure base for cybercriminals. The providers promised their customers anonymity and protection from prosecution - an offer that attracted hackers and fraudsters in particular.

What is bulletproof hosting and why is it dangerous?

Bulletproof hosting is a hosting service that is used specifically for criminal activities. Providers of this type of service guarantee their users that they are protected from the police and other authorities. This means that criminals can use these hosting services for illegal activities such as phishing, malware distribution and DDoS attacks without the risk of being detected quickly. For cybercriminals, these providers are almost indispensable, which is why they use such platforms to conduct much of their illegal business.

A global battle against the digital underworld

The ZServers/XHost case is not the first time that authorities have taken action against such hosting services. Back in 2019, the "Cyberbunker" in Rhineland-Palatinate was broken up - another well-known bulletproof hosting provider that served as a platform for illegal darknet business. The loss of such providers is a major blow to cybercrime, even if many criminals will be on the lookout for new platforms. However, this global fight against cybercrime has shown that even the "safest" digital hideouts will not remain hidden forever.

Progress, but no solution

Although the dismantling of ZServers/XHost and other similar platforms is an important success in the fight against cybercrime, it is only part of the whole problem. Criminals are highly adaptable and will always find new ways to disguise their illegal activities. The real challenge is to stay one step ahead of these increasingly complex networks - and to ensure that not only the platforms but also the perpetrators themselves are brought to justice.

A small victory, but the fight goes on

It may be progress, but the battle is far from won. As long as the demand for illegal hosting and anonymous online platforms remains high, new providers will quickly enter the market. What is really missing is a concerted international strategy that not only destroys the infrastructure, but also the networks of criminals in their home countries.