botnet

Free On-line Dictionary of Computing

<security> A large number of hijacked computers controlled by a botmaster via the Internet. Some botnets have been estimated to include hundreds of thousands of computers. Botnets are sometimes rented out, sometimes for as little as 4 cents per machine.

The machines are recruited via a virus (e.g. sent by e-mail), a drive-by download or a worm.

(2019-03-16)