#10: Botnet

Definition:

a network of computers infected with a virus that conducts coordinated scanning activity to compromise the security of and infect other computers

Example:

"Botnets – large networks of malware-infected PCs remotely controlled by criminals – are a serious problem on the Internet. The spam, phishing attacks, and malware that these networks send accounts for a massive proportion, in excess of 80 percent, of e-mail traffic." — Wired.com, Feb. 26, 2010

Submitted by:

J.C. Moore, PA

Editor's Note:

One of the disturbing aspects of botnets: if your computer is infected, you may not be aware that it's serving as a botnet agent.

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