Botnet

A botnet is a large group of hacked phones, computers or gadgets that an attacker controls remotely to send spam or attack websites.

Botnet: A botnet is a network of infected devices, such as computers, phones, routers and cameras, that a criminal controls from far away. The owners usually do not know. The attacker uses the group to send spam, spread malware, guess passwords or crash websites with fake traffic.

Your device can join a botnet after you open an infected file, install a bad app or leave a home router or CCTV camera with its factory password. The infected device keeps working normally, so you may only notice slower internet, heavy data use or a battery that drains for no reason. Criminals rent such networks to others, so one careless device can help many different attacks at once.

A botnet matters because your device may be used to attack others or to send scam messages from your own number and connection. Prevention is simple: change default passwords on routers and cameras, install updates, remove unused apps and do not click on unknown links or attachments. Smart TVs, set-top boxes and cheap smart plugs are also popular targets and often never receive updates.

Tips

• Change the default password of your home Wi-Fi router and CCTV camera on the first day.
• Install router and phone updates, and replace devices that no longer get any updates.
• Remove apps you do not use, since each one is another possible way in.

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