What is a botnet? Meaning & use simply explained

Anyone who deals with malware, Trojans and hackers is likely to come across the term “bots” sooner or later and wonder what a botnet is.

Answer to the question: What is a botnet?

In the context of hacker attacks, computer protection systems, etc., terms such as “bot” and “botnet” are often used. However, very few people know what they mean.

• The term “bot” is derived from the English word “robot”, which translates as “robot”. A “botnet” is therefore a network that consists of several robots.

• These robots are not machines like in the movies, but software or a program. This is smuggled into a system unnoticed and can then network with other bots on other devices to form a botnet.

• This doesn’t just affect devices like laptops or PCs. Smart TVs, printers or systems like Alexa can also be infected and become part of the network.

• Bots are usually introduced without being noticed. For example, via an infected website, via an email with a contaminated attachment or via a newly installed program.

• Furthermore, although the bots are part of a network, they perform very specific tasks individually. To do this, they need an internet connection and a system that is switched on.

• Bots can, for example, access data from your system and then send it on. You can protect yourself by avoiding suspicious e-mails and websites and installing malware.

The dangers and uses of botnets

A botnet poses a significant threat to users and companies because it can be used for a wide range of criminal activities. One of the biggest risks is the misuse of infected devices for cyber attacks. Those affected often do not even realize that their system has become part of such a network.

• A particularly common use of botnets is for DDoS attacks (Distributed Denial of Service). In this case, thousands of infected devices simultaneously attack a website or server in order to overload and paralyze it. Such attacks are used specifically to disrupt online services or to enforce ransom demands.

• In addition, cybercriminals use botnets for automated fraud, such as sending spam e-mails or fake advertising clicks en masse to generate illegal income for the operators. The theft of sensitive data, such as passwords or credit card details, is also a common application.

• Modern botnets are also capable of secretly mining cryptocurrencies (so-called cryptojacking) by exploiting the computing power of infected devices. This results in a significant system load and can severely restrict the performance of computers and other networked devices.