CyberGuard dictionary / Malware
Botnet
A group of compromised devices controlled for coordinated activity.
In simple terms
A botnet is a network of devices someone else has taken over and can direct.
Technical explanation
Command-and-control mechanisms coordinate infected endpoints for activities such as spam delivery or distributed denial of service.
A controller can issue tasks to many compromised devices through centralized or distributed command channels. Owners may notice unusual outbound traffic or degraded performance even when the bot's main target is elsewhere.
Examples in practice
Compromised home routers send large volumes of unwanted traffic at the same time.
A group of infected routers floods an online store with requests. Each router owner may see only a small traffic increase, but together the devices make the store unavailable.
Why it matters
Removing only one infected device may not stop a broader campaign.
VERIFY & LEARN MORE
Sources and further reading
Published 2026-10-15 · Last updated 2026-10-15 · CyberGuard editorial content. Source links provide context; they do not imply endorsement.