What term describes malware used to infect a large number of computers to form a botnet controlled via C&C?

What term describes malware used to infect a large number of computers to form a botnet controlled via C&C?

• A. Shadow file
• B. Pwdump
• C. Botnet Trojans
• D. Ransomware

Answer: (C)

The term describes malware that turns many infected machines into a coordinated network under centralized control. Botnet trojans install backdoors on each compromised host and connect them to a command-and-control (C&C) channel, allowing a single attacker to issue instructions and automate actions across thousands or millions of machines. That centralized control via C&C is the hallmark of a botnet. Why the other terms don’t fit: Shadow file is a Linux file that stores password hashes, not malware. Pwdump is a tool used to extract password hashes, not software that builds a botnet. Ransomware is malware that encrypts files for ransom, not malware designed to form a remotely controlled network of bots.

The term describes malware that turns many infected machines into a coordinated network under centralized control. Botnet trojans install backdoors on each compromised host and connect them to a command-and-control (C&C) channel, allowing a single attacker to issue instructions and automate actions across thousands or millions of machines. That centralized control via C&C is the hallmark of a botnet.

Why the other terms don’t fit: Shadow file is a Linux file that stores password hashes, not malware. Pwdump is a tool used to extract password hashes, not software that builds a botnet. Ransomware is malware that encrypts files for ransom, not malware designed to form a remotely controlled network of bots.