The new peer-to-peer (P2P) botnet referred to as Mozi, has a relation to Gafgyt malware since it uses some of its codes. The P2P botnet uses a DHT protocol but spreads by abusing Telnet passwords and exploits target networking devices, IoT, and visual recorders. Using a DHT protocol allows the botnet to establish its network without servers and hide its valid payload. The DHT protocol is also used by P2P platforms to store node contact data. Operators of the Mozi botnet have also ensured that it is not taken over by threat actors by ensuring that it verifies all commands and synced configuration shared to botnet nodes. There has been a significant increase in the number of P2P botnets developed by various companies. P2P botnets are popular since they are resilient to sinkholing attacks created to disrupt and eliminate them (Gatlan). Mozi botnets also have algorithms that help to enhance the integrity and security of their components and networks.
The botnet plays a significant role in launching Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, payloads, data theft, and carry out commands from the system. In the case of a router attack, there is a high likelihood of the P2P botnet leading to Man-in-The-middle (MITM) attacks (Osborne). Even though some of the nodes associated with the P2P botnet go down, the network still carries on with the remaining ones infecting devices that portray weaknesses. The P2P botnet can even be used to cash in illegal cryptocurrency hence the popularity. The various challenges brought about by the P2P botnet enhance the need for interventions to promote the security of the internet of things. When a Mozi botnet infects a system, its nodes receive and execute commands from the master and search for vulnerable Netgear, D-Link, and Huawei routers. This enhances the possibility of attacking routers with weak passwords and penetrating them.
One of the measures that can be used to prevent attacks from peer-to-peer botnets is keeping software up to date. Keeping the software up to date helps minimize the possibility of viruses, malware attacking a system, and botnet attacks. New security patches and updates help fix the vulnerabilities in a system prone to botnet attacks. In this case, organizations should seek to update their systems and software regularly to prevent attacks from P2P botnets. It is also necessary to closely monitor a network to identify unusual activities that indicate the likelihood of an attack. However, one needs to understand typical traffic and how the system behaves in normal scenarios. This enhances the possibility of identifying unusual activities and addressing them as required. In this case, it might be necessary to carry out twenty-four hours of monitoring using analytics and data collection strategies that identify irregular behavior that relates to botnet attacks.
Monitoring failed login attempts can also help prevent attacks from P2P botnets. This is because botnets are used to evaluate huge volumes of stolen usernames and passwords to gain illegal access to accounts. In this case, an organization has to identify the rate of failed login attempts and set up notifications if the rates spike up. A high rate of failed login attempts indicates a possibility of a botnet attack being carried out. This helps inform immediate responses to eliminate botnet attacks by strengthening an organization’s security system (How to Stop). This can also inform the need to change passwords frequently to minimize penetration possibilities.
It is also necessary for an organization to ensure that all its passwords are strong enough to minimize the possibility of hacking. It might also be necessary for an organization to implement a botnet detection strategy. Such a strategy can rely on artificial intelligence to perform the behavioral analysis necessary to identify traffic that results from a botnet. An organization can also utilize machine learning to update system algorithms necessary to identify new threats. One might also consider blocking outgoing TCP traffic from various destination ports in a router. This minimizes the vulnerabilities that are likely to be penetrated during botnet attacks and enhance security. It is also necessary to evaluate and block UDP traffic from a router to Bit Torrent nodes.
In conclusion, routers from Netgear, D-Link, and Huawei have experienced an increased rate of Mozi botnet attacks that probe for weak passwords. This signifies that there is a great need to establish measures that will help to enhance the system’s security strength and limit botnet attacks. The P2P botnet uses a DHT protocol but spreads by abusing Telnet passwords and exploiting target networking devices. During a router attack, there is a high likelihood of the P2P botnet leading to Man-in-The-middle (MITM) attacks. The P2P botnet can even be used to cash in illegal cryptocurrency hence the popularity. One of the measures that can be used to mitigate Mozi botnet attacks is ensuring that the system and software are up to date. This helps identify and address vulnerabilities that are likely to enhance botnet attacks. It is also necessary to closely monitor the system to identify unusual activities that are likely to be related to a botnet attack. This helps to establish improvements.
Works Cited
Datadome. “How to Stop and Prevent Botnet Attacks in 2021.” DataDome, 2021, Web.
Gatlan, Sergiu. “New Mozi P2P Botnet Takes over Netgear, D-Link, Huawei Routers.” BleepingComputer, 2019, Web.
Osborne, Charlie. “This Is Why the Mozi Botnet Will Linger On.” ZDNet, 2021, Web.