<P> A botnet is a number of Internet - connected devices , each of which is running one or more bots . Botnets can be used to perform distributed denial - of - service attack ( DDoS attack ) , steal data , send spam , and allow the attacker access to the device and its connection . The owner can control the botnet using command and control ( C&C ) software . The word `` botnet '' is a combination of the words `` robot '' and `` network '' . The term is usually used with a negative or malicious connotation . </P>
<P> A botnet is a number of Internet - connected devices , each of which is running one or more bots . Botnets can be used to perform distributed denial - of - service attack ( DDoS attack ) , steal data , send spam , and allow the attacker access to the device and its connection . The owner can control the botnet using command and control ( C&C ) software . The word `` botnet '' is a combination of the words `` robot '' and `` network '' . The term is usually used with a negative or malicious connotation . </P>
bots as part of a botnet can be controlled by hackers through
bots as part of a botnet can be controlled by hackers through
command and control ( C&C ) software
command and control ( C&C ) software