Zombie (computer science)

In information technology, the term zombie or bot refers to a computer connected to the Internet, which is controlled and remotely controlled by worms, viruses or Trojans by hackers, usually without the user 's knowledge. A composite remote controlled computer called " botnet ", " zombie network " or "Zombie Farm".

The hijacking of PCs is favored that users do not install a virus protection program or configure their firewalls wrong and that operating systems or installed software security vulnerabilities, which are far from being eliminated. Cluster of hijacked zombie computers are used by operators of botnets for illegal activities or rented to clients, including the spread of spam and attacks on Internet servers by denial of service, for hijacking another computer, for spying on access by phishing or for concealing the initial point of attack.

The number of zombie networks is estimated at hundreds of millions. Are mostly affected computer with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Vinton Cerf, who was involved in the development of the Internet Protocol TCP / IP, assumes that 100 to 150 million of the Internet-connected computers are affected. Similarly, estimates a manufacturer of security software, McAfee, the proportion of infected hosts to about 25%, which corresponds to about 150 million computers. The lowest estimates amount to about 10 %, which would affect about 60 million computers. To protect against such attacks recommend specialist editorial appropriate anti -virus software and regular security updates; in safety-critical applications, a hardening of the operating system.

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