Cybersecurity definition
What is Botnet?
By Cyber Tool Stack Editorial TeamUpdated
Definition
A network of compromised devices, controlled remotely by an attacker through command-and-control infrastructure, used collectively to launch DDoS attacks, send spam, or carry out other automated abuse at scale.
Where Botnet fits in the security landscape
These beginner lessons use this term while explaining the surrounding security control.
Related cybersecurity terms
C2Command and ControlThe infrastructure and channel an attacker uses to remotely control malware already running on a compromised system — issuing commands, exfiltrating data, or pulling down additional tools.DDoSDistributed Denial-of-ServiceAn attack that floods a target with traffic from many sources at once — often a botnet — to overwhelm its capacity and knock it offline for legitimate users.