To add details

July 2 (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc.'s Google said on Thursday it had weakened a large network of internet-connected devices that were being used to conceal and route malicious online activity.

The tech giant explained that it took action against NetNet's home middleware network, also known as Bupa, in cooperation with the FBI, Lumen Technologies, and other entities.

Google explained that it disabled the accounts and services used in the command and control operations of the malware associated with the NetNet network, and also provided technical information related to the group's infrastructure to law enforcement agencies and industry partners to support broader law enforcement efforts.

Home-based middleware networks allow users to route their internet traffic through IP addresses belonging to ordinary consumers, potentially concealing the source of online activity and helping to bypass security measures. While these networks can be used for legitimate purposes, they are frequently exploited in cybercrime because they obscure the true origin of data traffic.

Google said in its blog, "We believe our coordinated actions have significantly weakened Bennett's middleware network and business operations, reducing the middleware operator's available hardware by millions of units."

NetNet was founded in 2017 as a subsidiary of Alarum Technologies, an Israeli cybersecurity company.

The company told Reuters that Alarum and NetNat were informed on Thursday that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had seized some of their domains.

The company added, "Alarum takes this matter very seriously and will fully cooperate with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation into any misuse of its infrastructure and to hold those responsible to account."