What Botnet Traffic Looks Like in Action

A botnet attack [2] is the computer equivalent of a hijacking. Through malware, botnet creators use networked computers to attack, assault and hack other computers and servers in a bid to gain access to confidential or personal information. Infected hosts further infect other computers, which extends the reach of the botnet.

Unveillance [3], an IT security intelligence and metrics firm, used its technology to render a data visualization of the world’s botnet traffic. On a global map, botnet traffic is shown as it popped up across continents over the course of one minute on June 11, 2012. It looks like a Christmas tree lighting up — but you wouldn’t want to open the presents these botnets delivered.

Watch the video from Unveillance.