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Botnets

Botnets are networks of devices, such as computers, smartphones, or IoT devices, that have been infected by malware and are controlled remotely by an attacker.

The attacker, also known as the botmaster or bot-herder, can use the botnet to perform various malicious activities, such as launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, sending spam emails, stealing data, mining cryptocurrency, or spreading more malware.

Some statistics on Botnets are:

• Botnets are one of the most common and dangerous types of cyberattacks today, as they can affect any online service or website.
• According to a 2020 report by NETSCOUT, there were over 10 million DDoS attacks in 2020, most of which were powered by botnets.
• According to a 2020 report by NortonLifeLock, there are over 15 billion devices that are vulnerable to being infected by botnets.
• According to a 2020 report by Kaspersky Lab, the most active botnet families in Q3 2020 were Emotet, Trickbot, and Dridex.
• According to a 2020 report by Bitdefender, the most targeted countries by botnet infections in H1 2020 were India, Brazil, and Indonesia.
• Botnets are a serious threat that requires protection and mitigation from service providers and users

What can you do:

• Scan your device regularly for malware. Use a reliable antivirus software that can detect and remove any malicious programs or files that may be infecting your device. You can also use a malware removal tool that can specifically target botnet malware, such as Malwarebytes
• Avoid clicking on links or attachments from unknown sources. Many botnet infections are delivered through phishing emails, texts, or websites that trick you into revealing your personal or financial information, or downloading malware onto your device. You should also verify the sender’s identity and the authenticity of the message, and use spam filters and anti-phishing software to block or detect phishing messages
• Be cautious when giving out personal information online. Cyber attackers can use this information to research their targets and craft convincing BEC emails. You should also review your privacy settings and permissions on your online accounts, and delete or deactivate any unused or old accounts
• Use firewalls and intrusion detection systems (IDS). Firewalls can help you filter or block unwanted or malicious network traffic, and IDS can help you monitor and alert you of any suspicious or anomalous activity on your network. You can also use a DDoS protection tool such as DNS filtering that can help block malicious visits to a website or service
• Use encryption, authentication, and verification methods. Encryption can help you protect your communication and data from interception and tampering, authentication can help you verify your identity and access rights, and verification can help you ensure the integrity and security of your email communication. You can also use secure protocols, such as HTTPS, SSL, or TLS, to access websites or services
• Isolate your devices from your main network. If you have any IoT devices, such as smart TVs, cameras, thermostats, or routers, you should isolate them from your main network, as they may be vulnerable to botnet attacks. You can use a separate Wi-Fi network, a virtual LAN, or a VPN to separate your devices and mask your IP address and location
• Keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, browser, applications, and antivirus software. Updating your software can help you fix any security vulnerabilities or bugs that may be exploited by botnet malware