Botnet: What Is It and How to Protect Yourself From It?

Botnets are networks of malware-infected and controlled electronic devices used by hackers to carry out DDoS and other types of cyberattacks. Find out all you need to know about it.

For several years now, Botnets have been used more and more by cybercriminals to the point that they have become one of the biggest cybersecurity threats. A Botnet is made up of a set of devices connected to the Internet, infected and controlled by the same malware. These devices can be PCs, servers, smartphones, and tablets, or even connected objects.

Once infected with the malware, devices can be controlled remotely by the attacking cybercriminal. They can then be used for specific tasks such as DDoS attacks, click fraud campaigns, spamming, or data theft. Botnets can also be used for spreading Fake News on social media.

Also, criminals are increasingly using them for mining cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. In this case, the computing power of the hijacked devices is used to mine cryptocurrencies. Experts predict that this trend will continue to expand over the coming years.

Often, users of devices infected and controlled by malware are not even aware that their devices are contaminated. It is this difficulty in detecting Botnets that makes them particularly formidable.

How does a Botnet work?

The term ”Botnet” is a contraction between ”robot” and ”network”. It is indeed a network of robots used to commit cybercrimes. To create a Botnet, a criminal must take control of as many devices connected to the internet as possible. For good reason, the more the number of “robots” is important, the more the network will be massive and therefore dangerous.

Typically, the malware that can take control of infected devices is a Trojan horse virus. By opening an email attachment, clicking on a pop-up, or downloading software from a website, the victim unknowingly deploys the malware on their system.

Subsequently, the virus takes full control of the computer. He is then able to access personal data stored on the machine, attack other computers, or commit a wide variety of cybercrimes.

The most sophisticated botnets can automatically propagate from device to device. They constantly search the web for vulnerable devices, which have not been updated or do not have antivirus software.

Botnets are very difficult to detect because they only use a small part of the computing power of the infected machine. This is what allows them to avoid disturbing the operation of the device and therefore alert the user. Some may even adapt their behavior to avoid being detected by cybersecurity software. Over time, malware is more and more advanced and therefore more difficult to detect.

Which devices are vulnerable to botnets?

Botnets can infect any device connected to the internet. PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, security cameras, connected objects… none of these categories of devices are immune.

So, while it might sound silly, it's common for a connected fridge or coffee machine to be recruited by a botnet to carry out a cyberattack. These devices are also prime targets because their manufacturers often define very weak passwords to ensure security by default. Malware can therefore easily spot and infect it.

Indeed, as the Internet of Things is booming, it makes sense to see an increase in the number of botnets. Cybercriminals have more opportunities to grow their botnets, and botnets can have even more impact.

In 2016, a DDoS attack hit the internet infrastructure company Dyn. This attack was based on a botnet made up exclusively of security cameras and connected digital cameras. It caused a massive internet blackout across much of the United States, including affecting websites such as Twitter and Amazon.

What are the different types of Botnet attacks?

Botnets can be used to carry out different types of cyberattacks. The most common is the denial of service or DDoS attack, which involves using all the bots on the network to simultaneously connect to the same website and thus crash it.

They can also be used for fraud purposes, by using any device infected with the malware to click on advertisements on a website and thereby generate advertising revenue for that site.

Many cybercriminals also engage in botnet traffic, selling or buying them over the internet. Once the botnet is established, the hacker only has to find other cybercriminals looking for such a device to carry out their cyber attacks.

How to protect yourself from Botnets?

You will understand: whether you are a business or an individual, your electronic devices are not immune to botnets. Even though the French gendarmerie recently managed to take control of one of the largest botnets in the world and destroy it from within, there are tens of thousands active on the web. However, there are several practices to adopt to minimize risks.

First of all, take care to always update the operating system of your devices. For good reason, software developers actively fight malware and deploy updates to protect OS.

Second, always avoid opening attachments in suspicious emails or emails of unknown origin, and even take care to check your loved ones' emails for fraud. According to Proofpoint's Annual Human Factor Report, 99% of cyberattacks are based on the victim clicking on a link. Also, be sure to avoid downloading files from P2P networks or file-sharing services.

Finally, opt for antivirus software to protect your system against Botnets and any other type of malware. This concerns your computer, but also all other electronic devices in your possession.