News - Security Issues

Botnets Target Websites With 'Posers'

Elements of the shadow Botnet* army are becoming better at appearing human to websites. With the development of do it yourself kits and the underground botnet market place, botnet control is more attainable than in the past. According to David Crowder, CEO of web security company Pramana, control of a botnet costs as little $238. 

Georgia tech professor of computer science Merrick Furst explains, “We are seeing tens of thousands of false registrations getting through existing defense-in-depth to get accounts on websites. Instead of humans, bots are showing up en masse.” These bots are successfully penetrating CAPTCHA* codes. Among other tactics, the bots will alter the way they inter text to mimic the way a person might type while operating during peak business hours avoid raising suspicion.

Botnet owners are creating large numbers of fictitious yet reputable online personalities. Controlling large numbers of seemingly real users on social networking and bidding sites creates various opportunities for explotation at the hands of bot masters.

Click to read original article at www.darkreading.com.

Definitions:

Botnet: A bot, short for robot, is an automated software program that can execute certain commands. A botnet, short for robot network, is an aggregation of compromised computers that are connected to a central “controller.” The compromised computers are often referred to as “zombies.” Learn more.

CAPTCHA Code: a type of test used in computing to ensure that a response is not generated by a computer. Learn more.