What is a Botnet?
A botnet is a network of devices (like computers, smartphones and Internet of Things devices) infected with malware to serve as attack tools for hackers. They are controlled by hackers known as bot herders and can be used for cyberattacks such as DDoS attacks, spamming, click fraud and other malicious activities.
The first step of a botnet infection occurs when hacker exploits software or system vulnerabilities that leave a device open to attack. The hacker then uses a variety of methods to infect the victim’s device with malware, turning it into a zombie device. The malware may then self-propagate, spreading to other devices on a network.
Once infected, a bot receives commands from its hacker controller through a communication protocol. The bots connect to a centralized server or peer-to-peer network to communicate their instructions. The bots then perform actions on a scale that would be impractical to do manually. These include harvesting keystrokes for spyware, stealing online credentials through form grabbing and directing traffic to servers hosting popular services such as web browsers, email, online banking and social media sites.
Bad bots are also used for non-malicious tasks such as speeding up search engines and aiding with customer service in ecommerce websites. However, there are concerns about their use for large-scale botnet attacks. As methods to thwart cybercriminals evolve, they are constantly seeking ways around security measures. As a result, it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest threats and take proactive steps to protect endpoints.