What is a Botnet?
A botnet is a network of computers infected with malware, controlled remotely by cybercriminals. Often used for DDoS attacks, data theft and cryptocurrency mining, the threat can be massive and span millions of compromised devices globally.
Hackers use botnets to gain access to sensitive information, including dates of birth, bank details, emails, passwords and personal photos. They can also use them to spoof legitimate websites or deliver watering hole attacks against popular services. The threat can also rely on social engineering techniques to manipulate users into clicking links or opening malicious attachments.
Bots are often programmed to steal credentials, harvesting logins and session data from thousands or even millions of devices simultaneously. They are usually undetected by the device owners, making them a valuable tool for attackers. They can then be rented or sold on the black market to other cyber criminals that exploit them for their malicious purposes.
There are two main ways a computer can be infected with malware and become part of a botnet:
Phishing is the most common initial infection vector. Attackers send emails that mimic real communications from banks, government agencies and popular services to trick users into clicking malicious links or opening infected attachments. It’s important to use a strong internet security suite that can detect these threats and prevent infections.