Botnet facts for kids

A botnet is like a secret army of computers that someone controls without their owners knowing. The word "botnet" comes from "robot network." Imagine many computers, phones, or other devices all working together like robots, but controlled by one person from far away.

These groups of computers are often called zombie computers because they are controlled by someone else, much like a zombie. The person controlling them is often called a "bot-herder" or "hacker."

Botnets are used for many different things, but usually for harmful activities. They can send out lots of unwanted emails, called Spam. They can also attack websites or online services to make them crash or stop working. This kind of attack is known as a Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

What is a Botnet?

A botnet is a collection of internet-connected devices. These devices can be computers, smartphones, or even smart home devices. They become part of a botnet when they get infected with special software. This software allows a hacker to control them remotely.

How Devices Become Part of a Botnet

Devices usually join a botnet without the owner knowing. This happens when a device gets infected with malware. Malware is harmful software. It can get onto a device through:

• Clicking on suspicious links in emails or messages.
• Downloading infected files from the internet.
• Visiting unsafe websites.
• Not updating software, which leaves security holes.

Once infected, the device becomes a "bot" or "zombie computer." It then waits for commands from the bot-herder.

What Botnets Do

Botnets are powerful because they can make many devices work together. This allows them to do things that a single computer cannot.

Sending Spam

One common use for botnets is sending email Spam. Spammers use botnets to send millions of unwanted emails. These emails might try to trick people into giving away personal information. They can also spread more malware.

Denial of Service Attacks

Botnets are also used for Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. In a DoS attack, the botnet floods a website or online service with too much traffic. Imagine thousands of people trying to enter a small shop at the exact same time. The shop would get overwhelmed and might have to close. Similarly, a website can crash or slow down so much that no one can use it.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

When many computers in a botnet work together for a DoS attack, it's called a Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack. It's much harder to stop a DDoS attack because the traffic comes from many different places.

Other Uses of Botnets

Botnets can also be used for other harmful activities, such as:

• Stealing information: They can try to steal personal data, like passwords or bank details.
• Spreading more malware: Botnets can help spread viruses and other harmful software to more devices.
• Click fraud: They can automatically click on online ads to trick advertisers.

Protecting Yourself from Botnets

It is important to protect your devices from becoming part of a botnet. Here are some tips:

• Use strong passwords: Make sure your passwords are long and complex.
• Keep software updated: Always update your operating system and apps. Updates often fix security weaknesses.
• Use antivirus software: Install good antivirus software and keep it updated.
• Be careful with links and downloads: Do not click on suspicious links or download files from unknown sources.
• Use a firewall: A firewall helps protect your network from unwanted access.

By following these steps, you can help keep your devices safe from becoming zombies in a botnet army.

See also

In Spanish: Botnet para niños