Cybersecurity is one of the innovations that came out from the modernization of Information Technology and the Internet. It is an industry that is tasked to create protective, preventive, and solutions for cybercriminal activities, attacks, threats, and risks.
Every year there is an increase in cybersecurity incidents, and there are different types of attacks that experts and businesses should be prepared for. One of these is the use of botnets.
In this article, we will be discussing and defining botnet attacks in our cyberspace and network as part of our cybersecurity awareness. The more we know about underlying threats, the better we are to prepare for incidents should they happen.
Here are some of the largest scale botnet attacks that have happened.
Botnets
Botnets are software application that is used for malware, hacking, and spamming.
Independent systems that are known as ‘zombies’ are combined with a criminal program are called master zombie networks or ‘bot-network’. This type of cybercriminal tool can send a DDoS attack on a large scale.
Many hackers have used botnets now as it gives efficient processes and results.
The EarthLink Spammer Incident of 2000
This is the first botnet attack or incident that was acknowledged by the public in 2000.
It was created to operate by sending phishing emails on a larger scale. It was executed by placing the botnet program hidden in legitimate communication websites.
The incident has sent malicious emails to over 1 million correspondents to collect personal information, data, credit card details, and others more, considering that it all happened in a year.
Botnets download malicious content or viruses into your computer through the email link, and it will automatically collect the data and send it back to the sender.
The hacker was able to take advantage of the scam and it earned him an estimate of 3 million US Dollars. Later on, the company sued the spammer 25 million US Dollars for the incident.
The Cutwail Incident of 2007
Cutwail is malicious software that attacks Windows operating software.
The malware was distributed to users through malicious software via Pushdo Trojan, which turns the infected OS into a spambot.
A security organization called ‘Message Labs’ discovered this botnet in 2007 and has identified that the program has already infected an estimate of 2 million OS. The botnet is capable of sending over 74 billion spam emails per day.
It was recognized to be one of the largest scale botnet attacks. Experts have tried to catch and secure this malicious program, however, it still exists today.
The 3ve Incident of 2018
The 3ve botnet is one of the recent and sophisticated botnet attacks that produced three different operations that are interconnected.
The forked program was created so that it will be difficult for investigators to trace them. Several organizations and tech companies have worked together in stoping the 3ve.
It was able to penetrate an estimate of 1.5 million computers and servers, 5,000 counterfeit websites, and 60,000 digital advertising company accounts.
The goal of this botnet malware is to steal digital and financial assets from companies.
Career Opportunity
Now we know how dangerous Botnets can be and how they remained a constant threat to our industry’s cyberspace. For us to deal with it, our cybersecurity needs to be aggressive, skilled, and assertive.
If you are interested in becoming a professional cybersecurity expert in ethical hacking, you can enroll in our online educational program here at Reliable Cyber Solutions, LLC. Visit our website and check our offers at Reliable Cyber Solutions.
