IP Stresser
IP Stresser is a tool that allows you to test the strength of your own Internet Protocol (IP) address.
What is a botnet?
Definition of botnet
A botnet or botnet is a group of computers or devices under the control of an attacker and is used to perpetrate malicious activity against a victim. The term botnet is a combination of the words robot and network to represent the nature of a cyber attack carried out using a botnet. They have been responsible for some of the most well-known internet outages, effectively shutting down large organizations and network infrastructures through Distributed Denial-of-Service ( DDoS ) attacks.
Whois Stresser, IP stresser, and media servers are all getting very famous on the internet. They are always connected to many users from any country to attack any websites. The primary purpose of these tools is to crash or freeze the targeted website by high traffic or by a DDoS attack. But suppose you are using this stresser tool for legal purposes. In that case, you can also use it for brute-force attack on a password-protected web resources like WordPress and Joomla login websites, etc.
How botnets work
To control multiple devices, attackers must first trick users into installing malware. Various authors distribute malware software free to potential attackers, so attackers planning to cause damage and disruption do not have to create their programs from scratch. For example, the Mirai botnet targets Linux IoT (Internet of Things) systems, such as routers, IP cameras, and home automation products. This botnet malware gives remote attackers the ability to control IoT systems running Linux to flood their target with traffic.
It caused widespread outages or outages, creating traffic of up to 1 Tbit/second on the Internet, attacking various companies, including KrebsonSecurity, the French host or hosting website OVH, and also Dyna, which is a central provider of domain name services (NDS) essential for standard Internet communications. The Mirai botnet was considered the first, but. They eventually apprehended the original perpetrators. But while the Mirai authors got caught, the malware has many other variants available to hackers, including Okiru, Satori, Masuta, and PureMasuta.
A user can be tricked into installing botnet malware on their local device, or it can also be installed from outside by exploiting vulnerabilities. With IoT malware, attackers scan thousands of devices to find outdated or unpatched targets. Devices that do not have automatic patching mechanisms have a high probability of running vulnerable firmware services, which leaves devices open to possible attacks and makes them perfect targets for botnets.
Once enough vulnerable devices are infected with this malware, the hacker may decide to wait until a specific time to instruct them to flood a target with traffic. The network of infected computers is known as a botnet or zombie because it remains hibernating until an attacker sends a central command to the hijacked devices. The malware is programmed to go unnoticed on the device until commanded.
The botnet usually works in conjunction with a central command and control panel, from which attackers can see the number of infected devices and give them all the order to simultaneously send denial of service (DDoS) traffic to the target server. When the appliance cannot communicate with the central command and control server, it can no longer be used in an attack.
What are botnets used for?
Since an attacker is in control of a remote device, botnets are used for various attacks. Some attacks are launched to add more devices to the botnet. Still, others use a specific DDoS attack to disrupt a target's online services. Botnets are especially dangerous on the Internet because they can disable key protocol services and popular web applications with (potentially) millions of users.
Some standard botnet attack options are:
Read and write system data: An attacker can ask devices to send files to a central server to be checked for sensitive data. Sensitive system files could contain pre-recorded credentials for an infrastructure, thus giving attackers additional opportunities to exploit an organization.
Monitor user activity – Botnets often include other types of malware that can be used for additional unrelated attacks. For example, it is often the case that botnet malware consists of a keylogger (literally "keylogger"). Keyloggers log and record the user's keystrokes and send the stolen information to a server controlled by the attacker, giving them access to online accounts, such as a bank website.
Scan the local network for additional vulnerabilities – An attacker looking to DDoS will scan as many devices as possible to identify vulnerabilities. Firewalls protect some devices, so affected devices check local network resources once installed on a specific device. If any local device has outdated firmware, malware can exploit this vulnerability and add the vulnerable device to the botnet.
Launch a DDoS – DDoS is a common type of attack launched after a botnet is established. The attacker needs several thousand computers to launch an effective DDoS. Some providers, such as Cloudflare, can be used to stop DDoS attacks. However, an attacker with tens of thousands of zombie bots worldwide could still cause severe performance degradation.
Send spam via email – With access to email accounts on local devices, the attacker can command a botnet to send emails to specific recipients. The email could contain malware to spread to additional computers, or the attacker could use it in a phishing campaign.
How attackers control botnets
Malware on an infected device remains hibernated until the hacker sends it commands. The perpetrator of a DDoS is often referred to as the "botmaster," and the central server from which the attacker controls all devices and sends messages to them is called the command and control center or "C and C." The malware communicates with the "C and C" using various protocols that are often allowed by firewalls so that the messages are not blocked. For example, it is not uncommon for botnet malware to communicate using the HTTP protocol because HTTP transmission is standard on home or professional networks and is not blocked by corporate firewalls.
Because botnets are so effective, malware writers monetize their efforts by offering DDoS-as-a-service ( DDoS-as-a-service, or DaaS). Various devices infected with botnet malware connect to the same C&C hub. The malware authors offer subscription plans where other people can log into the C&C server to send their commands.
Malware writers often encode alternatives in C&C applications. If one C&C is disabled, another C&C location is included as a valid option. By creating redundancies in the malware, an attacker can avoid losing all infected devices after the hosting service terminates their account.
In other strategies, an attacker uses a peer-to-peer (P2P) model. All infected devices act as a C and C. If even one of the computers in the P2P fails, all other devices can be used. To send commands to others. P2P botnets are much more difficult to disable, so they are often the preferred method of communication between infected devices.
After the commands are sent to the infected devices, they launch the attack or execute actions based on the driver's instructions. Unsuspecting users with infected devices could experience rapid degradation in their network performance while browsing the Internet from their devices. A computer may run much slower if it is under a C and C command, or other network users may experience sudden changes in network speed. Once the attack is complete, performance returns to its usual level, and the malware goes into hibernation again.
How to protect yourself from botnets
As botnet infections often involve outdated firmware, users should always patch their IoT devices, including hardware running on the network. Outdated software vulnerabilities are common in cyberattacks because users often leave devices unpatched for months. Routers, home automation IoT, cameras, and other hardware often overlooked and considered secure are common targets for botnet malware.
Many IoT hardware manufacturers implement new procedures to update firmware automatically. Still, older devices need to be reviewed to ensure they have all the necessary updates to their firmware. You can go to the IoT device manufacturer and check for updates based on your model to check for updates.
If you feel that your local computer might be infected by botnet malware, the best way to detect it is to scan the computer using installed antimalware software. An excellent antimalware program detects malware before it can be installed on your computer. Still, certain zero-day malware can be installed without detection because its existence is unknown. If antimalware software is not updated, it will not be able to detect new malware. As botnet authors change their code and release variants, other new malware evades detection by cyber defenses. To protect your computer, always keep your antivirus software up to date when your provider releases new patches.