What is a Botnet — Definition, Types, Examples

Botnet Definition

The name botnet is a combination of the words “robot” and “network”. Botnets are networks of hijacked computer systems that are used to execute different schemes and cyberattacks. Botnet assembly is often the first step of a multi-layer strategy. Bots are used to automate large attacks such as data theft, server failure, and virus spread.

Botnets utilize your devices to scam others or cause disturbances — all without your knowledge. “What is a botnet attack, and how does it work?” you may wonder. To build on this botnet description, we’ll explain how botnets are created and used.

How Botnet Works

Botnets are designed to expand, automate, and accelerate a hacker’s capacity to carry out bigger attacks. A single hacker, or even a small group of hackers, can only perform so many activities on their local machines. However, for a low cost and a small amount of time, they may obtain a large number of new machines to use in more efficient processes.

• A bot herder leads a host of hacked devices via remote controls. A herder utilizes command programming to direct the following steps after compiling the bots. The entity assuming leadership may have built up the botnet or by renting it out.
• Each malware-infected user device that has been taken over for usage in the botnet is referred to as a zombie computer or bot. These devices follow the orders of the bot herder blindly.

The basic stages of building a botnet can be simplified into a few steps:

1. Prep and Expose: Hacker exploits a vulnerability to expose users to malware.
2. Infect: User devices are infected with malware that can take control of their device.
3. Activate: Hackers mobilize infected devices to carry out attacks.

Stage 01: Prep and Expose

Hackers discover a weakness in a website, program, or human behavior, which leads to exposure. The purpose is to expose the user to malware infection without their knowledge. Hackers frequently exploit security flaws in software or websites or spread malware via emails and other online messaging.

Stage 02: Infect

When a user performs an action that compromises their device, they become infected with botnet malware. Many of these methods include convincing individuals to download a certain Trojan infection through social engineering. Other attackers may be more active, doing a drive-by download after visiting an infected website. Regardless of the manner of delivery, cybercriminals eventually compromise the security of numerous victims’ systems.

Stage 03: Activate

When the hacker is ready, stage 3 begins by assuming control of each computer. The attacker groups all infected PCs into a network of “bots” that they may control remotely. A cybercriminal will frequently attempt to infect and control hundreds, tens of thousands, or even millions of machines. The cybercriminal can then assume command of a vast “zombie network,” i.e. a fully formed and operational botnet.

What does a botnet do?

Once infected, a zombie computer allows access to admin-level operations, such as:

• Reading and writing system data
• Gathering the user’s personal data
• Sending files and other data
• Monitoring the user’s activities
• Searching for vulnerabilities in other devices
• Installing and running any applications

How Do Hackers Control a Botnet?

Controlling a botnet requires issuing commands. However, the attacker values anonymity just as much. As a result, botnets are controlled remotely.

Command-and-control (C&C): All botnet instruction and leadership are provided by the server. This is the bot herder’s primary server, from which all zombie computers get orders. In the following models, any botnet can be direct directly or indirectly via commands:

1. Centralized client-server models
2. Decentralized peer-to-peer (P2P) models

01 Centralized models: are controlled by a single bot herder server. In a variant of this architecture, more servers tasked as sub-herders, or “proxies”, may be added. In both centralized and proxy-based hierarchies, however, all orders flow down from the bot herder. Either structure exposes the bot herder to discovery, making these outdated approaches less than ideal.

02 Decentralized models: Distribute the instruction tasks to all zombie computers. As long as the bot herder can communicate with any of the zombie computers, the commands can be sent to the others. The peer-to-peer arrangement hides the identity of the bot herder party even further. P2P is becoming increasingly popular due to evident advantages over prior centralized solutions.

Types of Botnet Attacks

While botnets can represent an attack in and of themselves, they are an excellent instrument for carrying out secondary frauds and cybercrimes on a large scale. Some examples of common botnet schemes are as follows:

1. Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS): is a type of attack that involves flooding a server with web traffic in order to cause it to crash. Zombie computers are charged with crowding websites and other online services, causing them to go down for an extended period of time.
2. Phishing: Schemes copy reputable persons and organizations in order to defraud them of important information. This is often accomplished by a large-scale spam campaign designed to steal user account information such as banking logins or email passwords.
3. Brute force attacks: execute programs designed to brute-force online account breaches Dictionary attacks and credential stuffing are used to get access to data by exploiting weak user passwords.

Originally published at https://softhunt.net on May 15, 2022.