How Cyber Criminals Use Botnets to Get Access to Your Information
A ‘botnet’ is a term for a group of internet-connected devices that are infected with a form of malware that allows a cybercriminal to gain access. Botnets are increasingly becoming one of the biggest cybersecurity threats as hackers may be able to use them to gain access to sensitive information. In this article, you will find a more comprehensive explanation of botnet attacks, how they work, and the strategies that you can use to protect yourself and your network against them.
Botnet: A ‘Network’ of ‘Robots’ Used to Commit Cybercrime
The term ‘botnet’ is a blending of the words ‘network’ and ‘robot.’ Simply described, a botnet is a network of interconnected automated computer devices. In effect, a cybercriminal (botmaster) works to gain control of many different computer systems. These systems are then combined together in an effort to overwhelm another computer network for the purpose of gaining access to confidential, sensitive information. Botnets have become a global cybersecurity threat. In 2020, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity warned that the number of botnet attacks reported more than doubled in the last five years.
Botnets are Controlled by a Cybercriminal
What exactly a botnet is going to do in any given situation varies. The reason for that is because botnets are largely controlled by their ‘botmaster’—the hacker/cybercriminal who gained illicit access to the computer system in the first place. A botmaster can use a collection of bots to do far more damage than could be achieved with a single computer.
One of the most common examples of a botnet scheme is a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack. A DDoS attack occurs when a large number of devices flood a computer network, thereby overwhelming the system. In effect, the goal of a DDos attack is to exhaust the protective resources of a computer network. By doing so, a cybercriminal may be able to access private information.
How to Protect Your Network Against Botnet Attacks
Cybercriminals are always trying to stay one step ahead of the defense systems. Botnet attacks are one of the latest strategies developed by bad-acting hackers who are looking to take advantage of innocent people, businesses, and organizations. The good news is that you and your company are not without options. There are steps that you can take to protect your network against botnet attacks. Some notable examples include:
Keeping your anti-virus software and firewall software/hardware up-to-date;
Closely and continuously monitoring your network for any illicit activity;
Watching for and following up on any failed login attempts; and
Implementing advanced anti-botnet protection procedures.
There are advanced cybersecurity defense products and services available that can better detect botnet attacks/activity. A botnet attack can cause serious harm to your network. In the worst cases, a botnet attack could result in sensitive, confidential information being exposed to cybercriminals. It is imperative that you take a proactive approach to protect your computer network against botnet attacks and other cybersecurity threats.