Malware
Botnet
Also known as: Bot network, Zombie network
Definition
A network of internet-connected devices infected with malware and remotely controlled by an attacker to perform coordinated activities.
Examples
- Mirai, an IoT botnet behind the 2016 Dyn DDoS that disrupted major internet services.
- Emotet's distribution network, dismantled by Europol in 2021.
Related terms
Zombie Computer
An internet-connected device secretly compromised by malware so an attacker can remotely command it, typically as part of a botnet.
Command and Control (C2)
The infrastructure and channels attackers use to maintain communication with compromised systems and send them instructions.
Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack
A denial-of-service attack carried out from many distributed sources simultaneously — typically a botnet — to overwhelm a target's bandwidth, infrastructure, or application.
Credential Stuffing
An automated attack that replays large lists of username/password pairs leaked from one service against other services, exploiting password reuse to take over accounts.
Cryptominer
Software that performs cryptocurrency mining; malicious variants run without consent and divert host resources to attacker-controlled wallets.
Malware
Any software intentionally designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computers, networks, or data.