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Botnet
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<p>A botnet is a group of <a href="/facts/Internet/Xw1rVvJU">Internet</a>-connected devices, each of which runs one or more <a href="/facts/Internet_bot/yPTtRLyq">bots</a>. Botnets can be used to perform <a href="/facts/Distributed_denial-of-service_attack/6nkoK02J">distributed denial-of-service</a> (DDoS) attacks, steal data, send <a href="/facts/Spamming/Qc9IL60W">spam</a>, and allow the attacker to access the device and its connection. The owner can control the botnet using command and control (C&C) software. The word "botnet" is a <a href="/facts/Portmanteau/d124JEbz">portmanteau</a> of the words "<a href="/facts/Robot/S5mDzWYk">robot</a>" and "<a href="/facts/Computer_network/3w5RM99p">network</a>". The term is usually used with a negative or malicious connotation. </p>