Malicious botnet

A malicious botnet is a collection of devices, such as computers, smartphones, or Internet of Things (IoT) devices, that have been infected with malware and are remotely controlled by a hacker. These devices are often used without the owner's knowledge to carry out attacks.

What it means

A botnet is like a army of machines working together under the control of a single attacker. Each device in the botnet, called a bot, can be used to send spam, launch denial-of-service attacks, or steal data. The attacker can control the botnet through a command-and-control server, which sends instructions to all the bots.

Why it matters

Malicious botnets can cause significant damage to individuals and businesses. They can be used to overwhelm websites with traffic, steal sensitive information, or spread malware to other devices. Because the devices are often spread out, it's hard to trace the source of an attack.

What to do

To protect against botnets, keep your software and devices up to date with the latest security patches. Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading files from untrusted sources. If you suspect your device is part of a botnet, run a security scan and remove any malware.