Botnets are networks of computers or devices that are controlled by attackers to carry out malicious activities. The term combines “robot” and “network” and covers cyber attacks that can be carried out with a botnet. Botnets are therefore groups of automated computer programs that are installed on many computers and can be used in a variety of ways.
Cybercriminals often use them to spread malware or carry out DDoS attacks. Botnets consist of networked bots that perform tasks autonomously. As malware, they usually operate without the user's knowledge by connecting hijacked devices in the Internet of Things. They act like spider webs with millions of infected computers, also known as “distributed computing networks”, which allow independent computers to communicate with each other. Attackers infect devices and operate in the background without the PC owner's knowledge by installing malware. The aim is to use the computing power of the infected computer. This can be done through spam emails, downloads or exploits. Botnets are created in three stages: Infecting the victims, enlarging the botnet and activating the botnet.
Botnets can be used for services such as spam, attacks, data theft, identity theft and illegal file sharing. They are versatile tools that can be used for both criminal and legitimate purposes.