A Botnet is a group of internet-connected devices which are compromised by the cyber attackers. It works as a force multiplier for the cyber attackers that are working individually or in a group to target a system. As the numbers of connected devices are more significant, it can send a large volume of spam and spay on people and firms. 

 

The cyber attacker infects a system by malware and builds a Botnet on it. Once the attackers become successful in compromise a network or device, it becomes able to get access to the entire device connected to it.

 

How to prevent botnet attacks

 

Given below are the ways to defend the enterprise against Botnet. It is suggested by the Council to Secure the Digital Economy (CSDE), in cooperation with the Information Technology Industry Council, USTelecom and other organizations.

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Update, update, update

 

Botnets are expanded through unpatched vulnerabilities to spread from system to system so that it should cause maximum damage in an enterprise. An enterprise needs to keep its system or devices up-to-date to keep their network secure. CSDE recommends updating all devices as soon as they become available.

 

Lockdown access

 

They have also recommended using multi-factor and risk-based authentication, least privilege and other best practice for access control. When Botnet infect one device, it moves to the other device, and by locking down access, Botnet can be contained in one place.

Firms should use physical keys for authentication. Using smartphone-based second-factor authentication also helps in adding significant layers of security. In this case, the attackers have to compromise a person phone physically.

 

Don’t go it alone

 

An enterprise can get help from an external partner by sharing threats and creating the right solutions for them. Botnet will take several times to spread to the external partner devices.

 

Why we can’t stop botnets

 

Shutting down Botnet is not an easy job as there is always an increase in purchasing insecure devices and the impossibility of locking down infected device out of the internet. Tracking down and prosecuting a Botnet creator is quite tricky. Consumers, while purchasing connected devices look for features, recognizable brands, price, whereas they forget to look for security. Security is not kept the top consideration for a device. The connected device mostly IoT are much cheaper and lacks fast update and maintenance plan, which keep the device vulnerable to Botnet and other malware.