A botnet is a network of computers or devices that have been compromised by malicious software and can be controlled remotely by an attacker. The individual computers, or "bots," are often referred to as zombies.
Once a botnet has been established, the attacker can use it to carry out a variety of malicious activities, such as sending spam email, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, stealing sensitive information, or distributing malware to other machines.
Botnets are often created through the use of malware, such as a virus or Trojan, which can infect a computer through a vulnerability in its operating system or software. Once the malware has infected a machine, it can communicate with a command and control (C&C) server, which is controlled by the attacker, to receive instructions.
The use of botnets has become a common tactic for cybercriminals and hackers to carry out large-scale attacks, and they can be difficult to detect and shut down due to their distributed nature and the fact that the individual bots may be located in different parts of the world.
A botnet is a network of computers or devices that are infected with malware and controlled remotely by a single individual or group. Botnets are typically created by cybercriminals who use them for a variety of nefarious purposes, such as carrying out distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, stealing sensitive data, sending spam or phishing emails, and distributing additional malware.
Botnets can be comprised of hundreds or even thousands of computers or devices, which can be located all around the world. Once a device is infected with malware and added to a botnet, the attacker can use it to carry out various types of attacks without the user's knowledge or consent. This can include launching DDoS attacks, which flood a website with traffic to make it unavailable, or stealing sensitive information such as login credentials, financial information, or personal data.
Botnets are often difficult to detect and control, as they are designed to operate covertly and evade detection by security software. However, there are a number of tools and strategies that can be used to protect against botnets, such as keeping software up to date, using strong passwords, and installing reputable security software. It's also important to be vigilant for signs of infection, such as unusual network activity or sluggish system performance, and to take action quickly to remove any malware that is detected.