Which term describes a network of compromised devices that can be controlled by an attacker?

A botnet refers to a network of compromised devices that are controlled by an attacker to perform coordinated tasks, often without the knowledge of the device owners. These devices, also known as "bots" or "zombies," can include anything from personal computers to IoT devices that have been infected with malware. Once they are part of the botnet, the attacker can use them for various malicious activities such as launching Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, sending out spam emails, or mining cryptocurrencies, all while remaining largely undetected.

The significance of the term "botnet" lies in the collective power it provides to an attacker; by harnessing multiple compromised devices, they can achieve far greater impact compared to using a single device. Botnets exemplify one of the major threats in cybersecurity, as they can exploit vulnerabilities on a massive scale, making them a substantial topic of concern in information security.