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A botnet is a group of internet-connected devices infected with malicious code and remotely controlled by an attacker. If you suspect your computer is involved, symptoms such as slowdowns or pop-ups are clues—not proof. Stop entering sensitive information on it, update security software from a source you trust, and run a scan; then secure important accounts from a device you believe is clean.
What is a botnet?
The NICCS glossary defines a botnet as “A collection of computers compromised by malicious code and controlled across a network.” In practice, the devices can include computers, phones, and internet-connected equipment such as security cameras. Each compromised device is a bot; together, the devices form the botnet. A person operating it is often called a bot herder or botmaster. The operator may use command-and-control (C2) infrastructure to send instructions to the devices.
Botnet malware is one kind of malware, but the terms are not interchangeable: the defining feature is that an attacker can remotely direct a compromised device or coordinate it with other devices. NICCS glossary and a 2017 NSTAC report to the President describe the concept.
How does a botnet work, and what is it used for?
After malware compromises a device, it can connect to an operator’s command-and-control system or otherwise receive instructions. The device may then carry out tasks alongside other bots, often without its owner’s knowledge. A botnet can be used to:
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- Send spam or phishing messages.
- Generate traffic for a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, which attempts to overwhelm an online service.
- Commit click fraud or steal information.
- Download or run additional malicious tools.
Truebot is one documented example: a July 2023 joint advisory from CISA, the FBI, MS-ISAC, and the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security says it was used to collect and exfiltrate information. Read the Truebot advisory.
Botnets can also have large effects beyond the devices they compromise. CISA’s Emergency Services Sector Landscape, published in 2023, describes the October 2016 Mirai attack against a major DNS service provider: it generated 1.2 terabits per second of traffic and involved millions of compromised internet-connected security cameras. That is a historical figure for that attack, not a claim about a current record. CISA’s sector landscape provides the account.
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How do devices become part of a botnet?
Infection can happen through phishing links, malicious websites, deceptive instructions, or vulnerabilities in software and operating systems. Some IoT devices can be compromised without an owner clicking anything. An infection therefore does not prove that the device’s owner made a mistake. The NSTAC report describes these routes and the range of connected devices that may be affected.
How do I know if my computer is part of a botnet?
There is no symptom on this list that confirms botnet membership. The FTC says malware may be associated with a slow or unstable device, browser redirects or unfamiliar add-ons, unexpected pop-ups, repeated operating-system errors, disabled system tools, or messages sent from your account that you did not write. These signs can have other causes, and they do not identify a botnet specifically.
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The FTC cautions: “Even if you use security software, malware might go undetected, at least temporarily.” A scan can help find malware, but one scan cannot be treated as proof that every threat has been removed. FTC guidance on detecting and removing malware explains the warning signs and general response.
How to remove a botnet infection from a personal device
The FTC’s steps address malware generally. They are not a forensic cleanup procedure for every operating system, router, camera, or malware family. If you suspect a device is infected, take these steps:
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- Stop using it for sensitive logins. Do not use the suspected device to access banking, shopping, email, or other accounts where you would enter credentials.
- Update security software and scan. Use a security tool from a source you already trust, update it, and run a scan. Do not download software through an advertisement or a pop-up warning; go directly to a trusted source.
- Secure your accounts from a device you believe is clean. Change important account passwords and turn on two-factor authentication. Prioritize email and other accounts that can be used to reset passwords elsewhere.
- Get trusted help if cleanup is difficult. Contact the device manufacturer or a technical-support provider you already know and trust. Be wary of unsolicited warnings or support offers asking for remote access or payment.
These general steps do not guarantee that a particular infection is gone. If the affected device is a phone, router, camera, or other IoT equipment, the right recovery procedure depends on its model and the threat; the FTC’s consumer instructions do not specify device-specific steps.
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Organizations and operators of connected devices need an exposure-management process, not just a consumer malware scan. CISA’s Internet Exposure Reduction Guidance recommends:
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- Inventory internet-accessible assets and remove or restrict exposure that is not operationally necessary.
- Change default passwords and apply current security patches.
- Replace equipment that no longer receives security support.
- Monitor inbound and outbound network traffic.
- Review internet exposure routinely.
These measures reduce exposure and help prevent compromise; they do not establish that an already infected system has been cleaned. CISA noted in guidance published June 4, 2025, that “Many organizations unknowingly leave common vulnerabilities and weaknesses exposed to the internet, making them easy targets for exploitation.” CISA Internet Exposure Reduction Guidance.
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