botnet
BOT-net
Definition
A network of private computers or internet-connected devices that have been infected with malicious software and are controlled as a group without the owners' knowledge, typically used for cyberattacks.
Etymology
The word is a portmanteau of 'robot' and 'network.' It emerged in the 1990s as the internet grew, specifically to describe groups of hijacked machines acting in unison.
In the news
In this article, officials highlight the disruption of a global botnet used by PRC-linked hackers to disguise their intrusion activities against U.S. infrastructure. Disabling these networks is a core strategy for the Justice Department and FBI to prevent further malicious cyber operations.
Justice Department And FBI Seize Platforms Operated By China State-Sponsored Hackers To Target U.S. Critical Infrastructure
Read the full article ↗Eurasia Review