Botnets as the Modern Attack Vector

Botnets have become an increasingly more common threat in modern computing. For attackers they provide some unique benefits, and for defenders they pose some distinct new problems. As such they garner a certain attraction from the modern attacker. In this survey paper we outline the reasons for the increased use of botnets, as well as the traits that make them desirable for attackers. In addition, we also discuss some of the ways in which we may try to prevent such attacks from occurring, with a focus on preventative training for users and systems, and through the capture and analysis of malware. With the data from captured malware in mind, we discuss the ways in which security can be improved with data gathered from attacks. We also address the current and potential future methods of detecting botnets and their activity using various tools and methodologies. The culmination is an overview of the traits of a botnet, why they have become more common, methods to prevent or mitigate, and how we can look to discover them before an attack.