Botnets
What are they and how can we defend against them.
A botnet is a network of internet-connected devices -such as computers, smartphones, or IoT gadgets -that have been compromised by malware and are being controlled remotely by a cybercriminal, often without the knowledge of the device owners. The term “botnet” comes from the words “robot” and “network,” reflecting how these infected devices (called “bots” or “zombies”) are programmed to perform automated tasks under the direction of a central controller, known as the botmaster.
Key characteristics:
- “Bots” or “zombies”: These are the infected devices.
- Botmaster or bot herder: The person who controls the botnet.
- Command and Control (C&C) server: The system used by the attacker to send commands to the bots.
What are they used for?
otnets can be used for a variety of malicious purposes, including:
- Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: Overwhelming a website or service with traffic to take it offline.
- Spam campaigns: Sending massive amounts of spam emails.
- Credential theft: Logging keystrokes or stealing login information.
- Cryptojacking: Using the infected devices to mine cryptocurrency.
- Click fraud: Generating fake clicks on ads to earn revenue.
How do devices become part of a botnet?
- Through phishing emails, malicious downloads, or exploiting software vulnerabilities.
- Once infected, the device connects to the botnet and awaits instructions.
How to protect against botnets:
- Keep software and operating systems up to date.
- Use antivirus and anti-malware tools.
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading unknown attachments.
- Use firewalls and network monitoring tools.