Protecting Against Botnets

Botnets are networks of compromised computers controlled by attackers. They represent one of the most significant threats to internet infrastructure and are used for various malicious activities.

What is a Botnet?

A botnet is a network of internet-connected devices infected with malware that allows an attacker (the "botmaster") to control them remotely. These devices are often called "bots" or "zombies."

Botnets can consist of anything from a few hundred to millions of compromised devices, including computers, IoT devices, servers, and even smartphones.

Command and Control (C2) Servers

The C2 infrastructure is the brain of a botnet. These are the servers that send commands to infected devices and receive data from them. Blocking C2 communication can render a botnet ineffective.

What Botnets Are Used For

• DDoS Attacks - Flooding targets with traffic to take them offline
• Spam Distribution - Sending massive volumes of spam email
• Credential Stuffing - Testing stolen passwords across multiple services
• Cryptocurrency Mining - Using victims' computing resources for mining

Detecting Botnet Activity

Signs that may indicate botnet activity from an IP:

• Unusual traffic patterns or volumes
• Connections to known C2 infrastructure
• Synchronized activity with other IPs
• Traffic matching known malware signatures

Protection Measures

Fraudcache tracks known botnet infrastructure including C2 servers and infected hosts. Use our feeds to block traffic from these sources before they can target your systems.

Related Articles

• What is IP Reputation? - Understand how IP reputation helps identify botnet-controlled IPs
• DDoS Attack Prevention & Mitigation Guide - Learn how botnets are used to launch DDoS attacks
• Malware Distribution Networks Explained - Understand malware distribution networks that create botnets

Conclusion

Botnets remain one of the most significant threats to internet infrastructure. By blocking known C2 servers and infected hosts using Fraudcache's threat feeds, you can protect your infrastructure from botnet-driven attacks including DDoS, spam, and credential stuffing.