Bots and Botnets – A Quick Primer

“Bot” is the common term used to describe automated programs, or robots, that typically operate in a networked environment such as the Internet. A “botnet” is a network of bots that together can operate in a highly distributed – and powerful – manner, collectively working to conduct a task or set of processes.

Bots can be useful tools to increase productivity and add value to a given market place, such as those that search online retailers for the best price on consumer electronics.

However, bots are much more commonly used for criminal purposes such as attacking websites, posting spam and off-topic responses to blogs, monitoring keyboards for passwords and PINs, buying up concert tickets, or conducting click fraud.

To learn more about bots, bot-driven crime, and how the industry is tackling the issues, visit www.Bot-Watch.com.