WHAT IS A BOTNET ? HOW TO DETECT AND PREVENT IT ?

What is botnet ?

A botnet is a network of computers that are compromised and are under the control of an attacker. Every individual device in a botnet is called as a bot. A bot is usually formed when a computer is infected with malware. This malware allows the crooks to control the computer remotely without the knowledge of the owner of the computer. The attackers who control these botnets are referred to as “bot masters” or “bot herders” .

Attackers generally use botnets for a lot of purposes, most of them being criminal. The most common applications for botnets include denial-of-service attacks, email spam campaigns, data theft and spreading adware/spyware. A botnet attack starts with a bot recruitment. Bot masters usually recruit these bots by spreading worms, botnet viruses, or other malware. It is also possible to use web browser hacking and infect computers which contain a bot malware. Once a computer is infected with a botnet virus, it will connect to the bot master’s command and control (C&C) server. From there the attacker is capable of communicating and controlling the bot. When the botnet reaches the desired size, the herder can exploit the botnet and carry out attacks (overloading servers, stealing information, sending spam, click fraud, etc).












How Botnets can impact you

Often, the cybercriminal will seek to infect and control thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions of computers – so that the cybercriminal can act as the master of a large ‘zombie network’ – or ‘bot-network’ – that is capable of delivering a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack, a large-scale spam campaign, or other types of cyberattack.

In some cases, cybercriminals will establish a large network of zombie machines and then sell access to the zombie network to other criminals – either on a rental basis or as an outright sale. Spammers may rent or buy a network in order to operate a large-scale spam campaign.

Botnet Removal

Botnet detection is pretty useless without having botnet removal skills. Once a bot was detected in a computer, it should be removed as soon as possibly using security software with botnet removal functionality.

You can download Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool in your PC for removing bot from your PC.

Or use Quick Heal Bot Removal Tool

POST BY- RAHUL DORA