Sending millions of fraudulent messages to spread further malware or conduct scams.
The sale of botnets on the black market provides a steady revenue stream for developers who specialize in recruitment and infrastructure. Buyers typically purchase botnet access to execute specific tasks: buy botnet
Using "infostealer" malware to harvest credentials, session cookies, and sensitive personal information for identity theft. Sending millions of fraudulent messages to spread further
Botnet Facts - Washington State | Office of the Attorney General Botnet Facts - Washington State | Office of
A botnet—a portmanteau of "robot" and "network"—is a collection of internet-connected devices infected with malware and controlled remotely by a single attacking party, known as a "bot-herder". While originally conceived to simplify repetitive tasks like proctoring chatrooms, modern botnets have evolved into a sophisticated underground industry where access is frequently bought, sold, or rented on dark web marketplaces. This "botnet-as-a-service" (BaaS) model has democratized cybercrime, allowing even low-skilled actors to launch devastating global attacks by purchasing the collective power of thousands of hijacked "zombie" computers.