IoT Botnet - What it is, how it spreads, and how to protect your devices

IoT Botnet

What it is

An IoT botnet is a herd of hacked smart devices - cameras, doorbells, routers, lights - all controlled by an attacker. Each infected gadget becomes a bot that can join massive spam blasts, password cracking, or internet-crashing DDoS attacks.

How it spreads - quick tour

  • Default passwords left on devices are guessed in seconds

  • Old firmware with known bugs gets exploited

  • Open ports and UPnP expose devices to the internet

  • Infected devices scan and infect other devices automatically

What you may notice

  • Sluggish internet, buffering, or router overheating

  • Devices behave oddly or reboot on their own

  • ISP warnings about malicious traffic from your connection

  • Router logs show unfamiliar connections at strange hours

Prevent it

  • Change default passwords on every device - use unique, strong ones

  • Update firmware regularly and enable auto updates if available

  • Put smart gadgets on a separate Wi-Fi or VLAN and disable UPnP

  • Turn off remote access you do not need and close unused ports

  • Use a reputable router with firewall and device isolation features

  • If compromised: reset to factory settings, update, and secure before reconnecting

    Glossary (A–Z)

    All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

      • Related Articles

      • Botnet

        What it is A botnet is a remote-controlled crowd of infected devices - PCs, phones, routers, even cameras - all taking orders from a command server. Criminals use these “bots” for spam blasts, DDoS attacks, credential stuffing, malware drops, click ...

      • Data Execution Prevention

        What it is Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is a Windows safety net that stops code from running in places it shouldn’t—like the stack or heap. If malware tries to execute from those memory areas, Windows blocks it and shuts the app down instead of ...

      • Malware

        What it is Malware is any software made to harm your device or data. It can steal passwords, lock your files, spy on activity, or hijack your browser. For a quick primer and examples, see our malware explainer. How it spreads Phishing emails and fake ...

      • Local Area Network (LAN)

        What it is A Local Area Network (LAN) connects computers and devices in a small area like a home, office, or school. Devices talk to each other through ethernet cables or Wi-Fi, sharing files, printers, and internet access. Why it matters A good LAN ...

      • Internet Of Things (IoT)

        What it is The Internet of Things (IoT) is the web of everyday devices that connect and talk to each other - from smart TVs and speakers to thermostats, cameras, doorbells, cars, and factory sensors. They share data and act automatically without much ...