The Botnet attack is a real and dangerous threat you should be aware of.
What is a Botnet attack?
A Botnet attack is a type of cyber attack executed through a bunch of infected devices connected to the Internet and commanded remotely by an attacker. Botnet means robot network. Such networks can include mobile phones, computers, and all types of IoT devices. Criminals control them with a specific target (victim) and objective.
How does the Botnet attack work?
The documented experience points out that botnets are larger every day since it’s kind of easy to infect multiple devices worldwide. Therefore, a Botnet attack mostly refers to a large-scale and dangerous cyber attack. Common objectives of Botnet attacks are stealing data or money, sending spam, sabotaging, exploiting sensitive information, and enabling DDoS attacks.
What’s a bot?
A bot is a computer program created to carry out automated tasks on the Internet. So it’s built through algorithms that help it to perform its tasks. Bots were designed to execute repetitive tasks more accurately and quicker than humans. They can be used to index websites, collect content from different sites, monitor 24/7, provide information through a chat, etc.
But as you can expect, they can also be programmed to accomplish malicious purposes. Bots can be part of DDoS attacks, spread phishing massively by sending even billions of messages every day, open backdoors, steal important information (card numbers, bank details, account data, etc.), stalk (monitor) users’ online activity, scan passwords, spread malware to infect, as many devices as possible, to grow a botnet, etc.
Here let’s make a note. The bot is a computer program, but commonly the term is used to refer to every infected machine of a network (botnet). And botnet is a group of all these infected devices.
How to protect from a Botnet attack?
It’s challenging to prevent and stop a Botnet attack. The more IP addresses (infected devices) involved in an attack, the harder for technologies to distinguish between legit and malicious requests to access a network, website, or application. But still, there are measures we can take to be protected.
Monitoring constantly. Having modern technology for monitoring 24/7 the network to detect suspicious activity is a must. It buys you valuable time to react.
Get Bot detection technology. The most advanced technology you can get is included in the anti-DDoS security plans (detection and mitigation). Exactly because malicious botnets are used to enable such attacks.
Check login attempts. Too many and unusual failed login attempts can mean a brute-force Botnet attack.
Update your software. Keeping the software updated reduce vulnerabilities and the chances for malware, other viruses, or botnets to take advantage of them. This works also for regular users. Remember that devices can be infected and used in a Botnet attack without the owners (of the devices) knowing they are part of it.
Install efficient anti-malware software. Every device need a protection software.
Suggested article: Private DNS server: Definition & Benefits
Conclusion
A Botnet attack is a threat that should not be ignored. Preventing it demands modern security solutions, but your business is worth the investment!
