Botnet attacks: How to spot them and protect against ATO 

Automated cyber-attacks are on the rise across industries and platforms, as fraudsters update old techniques to gain control of users’ machines for their own nefarious purposes.   

This article looks at botnet attacks–what they are, how they are used to conduct large-scale fraud, and how knowledge and best practices can help prevent account takeovers and widespread losses. 

 
What is a botnet attack? 

A botnet attack occurs when bad actors compromise computers globally to commit fraud anonymously. Botnet attacks are more challenging to stop than a singular attacker because they often originate from multiple accounts and locations.  

Botnet attack occurs in phases, beginning with a preparation period in which hackers infiltrate devices. If the attack isn’t stopped, it can result in serious issues for your users and ecosystem, including loss of sensitive information, corrupted networks, crashed servers, and infected computers. 

Let’s examine how a botnet attack is created. 

 
How a botnet attack unfolds 

When bad actors program bots to carry out an automated, coordinated attack, the exercise as a whole seems quite simple. However, preparation for the attack can be lengthy and complex. 

A botnet attack is carried out in three primary phases: The fraudster probes for a system weakness, infiltrates the system, then carries out the attack. 

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PHASE 1-PROBING

The probing phase of a botnet attack involves hackers exploring potential weaknesses on a targeted platform. They probe websites for security vulnerabilities or exploit users within a system via email. The probing phase, if successful, provides the fraudster access to a victim’s device and enables the next stage: infiltration. 
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PHASE 2-INFILTRATION

Once the fraudster finds a weakness to exploit, they try to infiltrate the target platform using the easiest, quickest method. These infiltration methods include infecting the system with malware or tricking a user into downloading and installing a file that provides the fraudster access to the system. 
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PHASE 3-ATTACK EXECUTION 

In the final phase, the fraudster initiates the attack. At this point, they have control over numerous systems, which they can manage via a hub machine, allowing them to control multiple computers remotely. 

The fraudsters can now download sensitive information, locate other target systems to attack, and install harmful programs. 

Botnets can cause serious issues on a large scale. Here’s why they’re carried out. 

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Why fraudsters attempt botnet attacks 

As with account takeovers and other attacks, the goal of botnet attacks is usually to steal money, but there may be other motives. Here are the most common drivers for botnet attacks: 

• General disruption. Whether out of spite or for entertainment purposes, some hackers are motivated by the chaos they cause to a company and/or website. 
  
• Stealing money. Fraudsters use botnet attacks to reap financial rewards, with most of the attacks involving coercion or selling stolen accounts. 
  
• Data downloads. Bad actors are highly motivated to steal sensitive data, which can enable higher-value attacks. 

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Types of botnet attacks 

Botnet attacks are often part of a larger infiltration and contribute to one of the following. 

Spambots 

A spambot is a program designed to collect email addresses and send spam messages in large quantities. 

DDOS 

A DDOS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack overloads a system with traffic. The traffic enters the system from various locations, making it nearly impossible to block, at least initially. The result is slower service or crashed websites. 

Phishing 

Phishing is a way to steal information by sending deceptive messages to people. These messages, auto sent via SMS or email, typically include either a link to a website that prompts users to input their login and password, or an attachment to download. In both cases, completing the action will result in a digital attack. 

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Protection from attack ‍

How can you protect your customers from botnet attacks? Consider the types of actions that precede an attack. As mentioned, these attacks follow a distinctive process, so the keys to protection are to educate your customers and keep your security stack current: 

• Require password changes periodically. Accounts logging into your system are much likelier to be the true account owner if your system enforces periodic password updates. 
  
• If an account is infected, stop the bleeding. Remember that the key to botnet attacks is to gain access to numerous systems. If you’re verifying accounts, stolen ones will be shut down and unable to infect others. 
  
• Implement multifactor authentication and monitor for suspicious activity, access, or login attempts. 
  
• Ensure users are accessing systems on quality devices. It’s important that your users log on to our platform with updated devices running the latest operating systems.  
  
• Require stronger passwords for your systems. Make sure that your platforms, at the very least, prevent easy unauthorized access. Fraudsters look for the easiest targets, so make it harder for them whenever possible. 

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How TeleSign can help 

‍Educating your customers on best practices for securing their accounts is the best defense against botnets. To better protect your platform from the larger attacks often preceded by botnet attacks, the most effective approach is a layered security stack tailored to your business. 

TeleSign deploys the multilayer defense you need:  

• Compile the right signals: TeleSign’s PhoneID API taps into global identity datasets sourced from a combination of proprietary, signals, exclusive global partnerships, and client relationships.  
  
• Assess the risk: TeleSign’s Score API is an adaptive machine learning model that assesses a user’s risk level in near-real time. Generate a risk score based on digital identity data (phone, email, and IP) that recommends whether to “allow” legitimate users and “block” or “flag” users who display fraudulent or risky traits. 
  
• Verify every login: TeleSign’s Verification API serves as the “possession” factor for multifactor authentication by delivering a one-time passcode (OTP) via SMS or voice to prove the user is in possession of their device. Risk and identity assessments ensure OTPs are only delivered to legitimate user logins. 
  

If you’re interested in hearing more about how TeleSign can help keep your platform and customers safe, chat with us today.