Botnetin

Botnetin is a term that refers to a network of compromised computers, often called "bots" or "zombies," that are controlled by a single attacker or group of attackers. These compromised devices are typically infected with malicious software, allowing the attacker to remotely command them to perform various tasks. The primary purpose of a botnet is to amplify the attacker's capabilities, enabling them to carry out large-scale cyberattacks that would be impossible with a single machine.

Botnets are created through various methods, including phishing emails, exploit kits that target software vulnerabilities, and malicious downloads. Once a device is infected and becomes part of the botnet, it can be used for a multitude of illicit activities without the owner's knowledge. Common uses include launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which overwhelm a target server with traffic, causing it to become unavailable. Botnets are also frequently employed for sending spam emails, distributing malware, conducting credential stuffing attacks to gain unauthorized access to online accounts, and even participating in click fraud schemes.

The command and control (C2) infrastructure is crucial for managing a botnet. Attackers use C2 servers to issue instructions to the bots and receive data back. These C2 servers can be centralized, making them a single point of failure, or decentralized, using peer-to-peer networks to make detection and disruption more challenging. Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity researchers actively work to identify, disrupt, and dismantle botnets to mitigate the threats they pose to individuals, businesses, and critical infrastructure.