Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime
• SEI Report
Publisher
Software Engineering Institute
Topic or Tag
Abstract
An analysis of real-world botnets indicates the increasing sophistication of bot malware and its thoughtful engineering as an effective tool for profit-motivated online crime. Our analysis of source code and captured binaries has provided insight about:
- how botnets are built
- what capabilities botnets possess
- how botnets are operated
- how botnets are maintained and defended
The purpose of this paper is to increase understanding of the capabilities present in bot malware and the motivations for operating botnets.
Cite This SEI Report
Ianelli, N., & Hackworth, A. (2005, December 1). Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime. Retrieved August 18, 2026, from https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/.
@techreport{ianelli_2005,
author={Ianelli, Nicholas and Hackworth, Aaron},
title={Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime},
month={Dec},
year={2005},
institution={Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University},
url={https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/},
note={Accessed: 2026-Aug-18}
}
Ianelli, Nicholas, and Aaron Hackworth. "Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, December 1, 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/.
N. Ianelli, and A. Hackworth, "Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime," Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University. Software Engineering Institute, 1-Dec-2005 [Online]. Available: https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/. [Accessed: 18-Aug-2026].
Ianelli, Nicholas, and Aaron Hackworth. "Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime." Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, Software Engineering Institute, 1 Dec. 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.
Ianelli, Nicholas; & Hackworth, Aaron. Botnets as a Vehicle for Online Crime. Software Engineering Institute. 2005. https://www.sei.cmu.edu/library/botnets-as-a-vehicle-for-online-crime/