Botnet attacks occur when an internet-connected device, known as abot, becomes infected. As such, a botnet is also part of a network of infected devices that a single attacker or attack group controls. Botnets are sometimes referred to ascomputer wormsorzombie armiesand their owners are calledb...
We can takethis case with Hola VPNas an example. Hola VPN secretly used its customers’ devices to create a botnet, essentially allowing others to free-ride off their Internet bandwidth. Permission to do this was hidden in the fine print and as you can imagine, people weren’t too happy....
Some bad guys use an initial Trojan horse virus to make their way onto a target machine. This Trojan either acts as a “dropper” to deploy the botnet payload, or it opens the door to the command and control server to send the correct software to the machine. Some Trojans even delete t...
Necurs: The rootkit behind one of the biggest activebotnets, which was responsible for spreading hugeransomware attackslike the Locky spam and Dridex financial malware. Necurs protects other malware strands, enslaving a machine to the botnet and ensuring the infection cannot be removed. ...
What is a botnet and how can you stay safe online?
Getting back to our open window similarity, not all open windows provide food impeccably to attackers — at times, they're excessively high up to reach, or they may lead just to a locked cellar. This remains constant with "open windows" that are security defects — cybercriminals can't ...
Once part of the botnet, your Internet’s bandwidth can be sold off to be used as a dedicated server for funneling Internet traffic. Routing traffic through dedicated servers is the largest overhead cost providers have to pay. It makes sense that the free VPNs fake ways to avoid paying thi...
Make sure that your Windows OS is fully updated with thelatest Windows Updatesinstalled. Run aJunk Cleanerto clear your PC junk andTemporary files– including yourCookies,Flash Cookies, andJava Cachefolder.CCleaneris a good freeware! TheTemporary Internet Filesfolder used to be a typical place fo...
Your Wi-Fi connection is unstable.While a poor connection isn't always a sign of malware, some threats can use excessive bandwidth for crypto mining, botnet activity, or data transfer. Have you found something suspicious? Head to the next section to learn how to get rid of malware on your...
After launching a successful web shell attack, cybercriminals could gain access to sensitive resources, recruit the target system into a botnet, or create pathways for malware or ransomware injections. If you haven't implemented defense strategies against this cyber threat, your systems are at a hi...