What is a Botnet? A "bot-herder" is a hacker who installs malicious software on thousands of computers throughout the Internet without the owners knowledge. The malicious software gives the hackers control of the computer remotely and once they have compromised enough computers they have a botnet (a robot network). Once hackers have enough computers in their network they can steal identities, launch a denial of service attack, perform click fraud and send massive spam campaigns.

The FBI has launched Operation: Bot Roast an ongoing and coordinated initiative to disrupt and dismantle these bot-herders. They have identified about 1 million computers across the country that have been compromised.

How to Protect Your Computer - FBI Cyber Division
• Keep your firewall turned on
• Install and keep your antivirus software updated
• Install and keep your antispyware software updated
• Keep your operating system updated
• Be careful what you download
• Turn off your computer when you are not using it  ¶ 5:56 PM