A botnet, short for “robot network,” is a network of compromised computers, often referred to as “” or “,” that are under the control of a single entity, the botmaster. These compromised computers are typically infected with malicious software, known as , which allows the botmaster to control them remotely. Botnets are frequently used to launch attacks, overwhelming a target’s servers or network infrastructure with a flood of traffic, rendering it unavailable to users. In a botnet-powered DDoS attack, a network of compromised computers, controlled by a single entity, floods a target with overwhelming traffic to disrupt its services.
Botnets use compromised computers to send out large volumes of emails. The botmaster controls these infected computers, issuing commands for email content and distribution. Spam emails often contain attempts or malware, and techniques like email spoofing make it challenging to filter out malicious emails. Additionally, botnets can steal usernames and passwords through techniques like , sending stolen credentials to a central server, where they may be sold or used for unauthorized access.
Another common use of botnets is click fraud, where infected computers generate automated clicks on online advertisements to inflate ad revenue at the expense of advertisers. In this context, botnets may also provide proxy services, allowing malicious actors to anonymize their online activities by relaying internet traffic on behalf of the user. This makes it challenging to trace and block these proxy services effectively. Botnet data theft involves a network of compromised computers extracting sensitive information such as personal data and login credentials, while botnet cryptojacking secretly uses devices to mine without the owners' knowledge.
