The modern internet consists of numerous connected devices. While this connectivity advances automation and efficiency, it has also created the grounds for IoT botnet development, which presents significant risks to numerous interconnected systems.
The Expanding Threat Landscape of IoT Botnets
An IoT botnet thrives on the structural weaknesses of a large number of connected devices. Some manufacturers or network administrators might deploy IoT devices with weak authentication or security capabilities. These limitations make them particularly vulnerable — every week, approximately 54 percent of organizations experience attempted cyberattacks on their IoT devices.
The scale of the issue grows exponentially with the development of high-speed connectivity, particularly in mobile and edge devices. While efficient, it also allows compromised devices to communicate and coordinate attacks more efficiently.
Globally, 45 percent of networks are already 5G-compatible. For IoT systems, this ability to connect with a large number of devices can lead to more widespread and resilient attacks.
Once established, attackers can weaponize botnets through a wide range of attacks, impacting business operations, profitability and security. Understanding their most common tactics can help organizations anticipate and prepare for these threats.
- DDoS Attacks. Distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks remain one of the most visible and disruptive uses of a botnet. In the first half of 2023 alone, cyberattackers launched 7.9 million DDoS attacks, equivalent to approximately 44,000 attempts per day. Compromised devices generate large volumes of traffic that can overwhelm targeted servers or networks. With botnets, traffic originates from legitimate industrial or consumer devices, which can make it challenging to filter malicious requests without causing major disruptions.
- Spam and Phishing. When in a botnet, cybercriminals can use IoT devices to send phishing emails and malicious links at scale, making campaigns more difficult to trace. Due to their previous legitimacy and their access to massive networks, these devices are highly efficient at automating such attacks.
- Data Theft and Espionage. Outside of immediate disruption or destructive attacks, some botnets aim for persistence. They can include compromised security cameras, sensors or controllers that may quietly collect and transmit sensitive data. In enterprises and industrial settings, this capability can allow long-term surveillance and intellectual property theft.
- Cryptojacking. According to the 2024 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report, cryptojacking increased by 659 percent in 2023, victimizing unknowing users. Although individual IoT devices aren’t particularly powerful in terms of computing power, large botnets can harness their collective capabilities.
Proactive Defense and Mitigation Strategies
Preventing exposure and the formation of botnets requires a layered approach that covers multiple points of vulnerability. Security begins at setup and deployment. Teams must change default credentials and update their firmware to the latest version.
These preparations minimize each device’s vulnerability to unauthorized access. Maintaining a detailed and updated device inventory is also important, as it allows organizations to effectively identify potential risks and roll out necessary updates. Some key tactics can include:
- Network segmentation divides a larger network of devices into smaller ones, limiting the access and movement of malicious actors in the event of a breach. It minimizes the attack area and helps prevent botnets from accessing critical systems or sensitive data.
- Traffic monitoring and anomaly detection. Continuously monitoring network traffic helps with early detection. Baseline profiles and transmissions of IoT devices enable security teams to identify anomalies or suspicious connections, allowing them to address potential attacks before they escalate.
Responding to an Active IoT Botnet Infection
Despite preventive measures, some compromises may still happen. A planned and effective response can minimize harm and allow teams to recover more effectively. Basic, yet essential, steps can include:
- Identification and isolation: Rapid identification of compromised devices and immediate isolation from the network to disrupt botnet operations.
- Analysis and removal: Evaluation of affected components and removal of malicious code, if possible.
- Defense updates: Post-incident reviews that involve detailed audits and updates to existing procedures or protections
The botnet crisis reflects the tension between improved connectivity and cybersecurity. As networks expand and IoT devices make their way toward more facilities, companies need to deploy appropriate protections and set up incident response plans to protect against these threats.
Lou is the Senior Editor at Revolutionized, specializing in writing about Technology, Computing and Robotics.
