Bots - malware that allows cybercriminals to take control of a computer - rank among the most serious threats to the individual PC user. They are usually part of a network of infected PCs, known as a "botnet", which can stretch across the world, all under the command of the attacker.
After a computer is taken over by a bot, it can be used to carry out a range of automated tasks. This means that innocent users can be the hub of an Internet scam without even knowing about it! Scary stuff.
Bots can task an individual's PC to automatically send out spam and phishing e-mails, viruses and spyware; stealing personal and private information for use by cybercriminals and "Denial of Service" attacks.
Readers may remember the story in 2009 of a 21-year-old student who was accused of hacking into Sarah Palin's Yahoo account. According to the student's legal team, he was working on a spyware-infected computer. Unfortunately, this defence is very difficult to prove as the "victim" can potentially be the "attacker".
So how do you know if your PC is infected? Possible warning signs include your computer slowing down, displaying mysterious messages, or crashing.
How can you protect against bots? The best way to protect your PC is to: install security software and run frequent scans; increase the security settings on your browser; configure your software's settings to update automatically and, as always, just be careful what you click on!