What is a Botnet?
A botnet is a network of computers, mobile devices or Internet of Things (IoT) devices that have been infected with malware. These compromised devices are then controlled by attackers. The attacking party is known as a “bot herder.” In the past, many security vendors and law enforcement agencies focused on disrupting botnet attacks by targeting their command and control (C&C) server or servers. However, as bot malware has become more advanced, the attack models have shifted to more decentralized and peer-to-peer methods.
Cybercriminals build a botnet by infecting the target devices with rogue applications, also known as remote access tools. Once the hackers have complete control over a device, they can use it to attack others through Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, data theft, spam, and much more.
Hackers usually gain control over an individual computer by using Trojans, spyware, keyloggers and other types of malware. They then create a network of the compromised devices and begin to control them from afar. This enables them to carry out a series of malicious attacks and earn money or simply brag about their hacking skills.
Any Internet-connected device can be targeted by botnets, including computers, mobile devices and IoT items like smart televisions, refrigerators, baby monitors or security cameras. To avoid infection, never click links in messages you receive, especially from text, email or social media. Rather, manually type the URL into your browser or search for an official version of the link to ensure you’re not downloading any malware. You should also have a strong internet security suite to help block malware, phishing, drive-by downloads and other threats.