botting

Botting refers to the use of automated software, scripts, or agents to perform tasks that would normally require human input. Bots can range from simple scripted routines to advanced systems driven by artificial intelligence. The goals of botting include speed, scale, and consistency in repetitive or data-driven tasks.

Common domains for botting include online gaming (automating character progression or market manipulation), social media (creating or buying followers and automated engagement), e-commerce (price monitoring, inventory scouting, or automated purchasing of limited-stock items), data collection (web scraping), and automated trading in finance. Malicious uses include botnets that coordinate attack traffic, credential stuffing, and spamming.

Techniques and tools used to create and operate bots include scripting languages, application programming interfaces, headless browsers, robotic process automation, and AI for more adaptive behavior. Operators may program bots to mimic human input, respond to changes in the environment, and evade simple defenses. Platforms defend against botting with CAPTCHA, rate limiting, IP blocking, device fingerprinting, and behavioral analytics.

Legal and ethical considerations are central to botting. It is often restricted or prohibited by terms of service and may raise legal issues related to fraud, computer misuse, intellectual property, or unfair competition. Responsible use includes respecting robots.txt for web scraping, complying with data protection rules, and avoiding harm to others. Researchers may study bot behavior under ethical guidelines and within approved scopes.

History and context trace the idea from early internet bots and IRC bots to modern automated agents used in gaming, commerce, and security testing. The term emphasizes automation as a practice, with ongoing debates about fair play, security, governance, and the implications of rapid, scalable automation in digital environments.