BotNet News

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A botnet is a group of malware-infected devices that are used by hackers to conduct malicious activities. Hackers typically utilize the compromised devices to launch Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, steal sensitive information, or even hijack entire networks. The botnets are controlled by a threat actor called a bot herder. The bot herder communicates with the corrupted devices in a network via a covert communication channel known as command and control (C&C).

A typical botnet uses remote access tools (RATs), Trojans, spyware, keyloggers, and other rogue applications that can be downloaded without the user’s permission or knowledge through file-sharing websites like P2P download services, fake software update channels, and shady links embedded within websites to gain an undetected entry into a system. Once the RATs are installed on the system, they can connect back to the bot herder through a C&C server or their peers to receive instructions and execute commands.

Bots are then programmed to do tasks such as stealing passwords, hijacking web servers, or launching DDoS attacks. Bot-herders can amass thousands or millions of devices (zombie computers) at a time to form a large scale botnet that can conduct massive cyber attacks. For example, the Mirai botnet was one of the most notable hacking incidents in recent times as it targeted IoT devices with default or weak passwords to conduct DDoS attacks.

Blocking the communication channels used by bots to connect with their C&C servers is a crucial step in combating the threat. Implementing firewall rules and network filtering to prevent the use of C&C servers and shady communication channels can help to mitigate the impact of a botnet attack. Also, ensuring that default or weak passwords are changed on all systems can reduce the risk of being infected by a botnet.