How can infected computers be organized into a botnet?

Computers are organized into a botnet—a network of hijacked machines—through the deployment of malware, such as computer worms, viruses, or trojans.12

Once a device is infected, it becomes a "zombie computer," allowing cybercriminals to control it remotely without the owner's knowledge. Infection methods can include executing malicious code, such as JavaScript, within a web browser to install software that the attackers can activate on command.12

By linking these compromised systems together, operators create a cluster of machines that can be commanded from anywhere in the world to perform illegal activities, including:

• Disseminating spam and phishing scams.1
• Launching denial of service attacks to shut down websites.1
• Storing or transmitting illegal materials.1

The use of botnets for criminal purposes is a serious violation of digital security and individual rights, and law enforcement agencies actively work to identify and prosecute the operators behind these networks.1