CISSP Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep Guide

In the cybersecurity context, a bot generally refers to a software application that performs automated tasks over the internet. More specifically, when the term is related to cybersecurity threats, it often pertains to compromised devices that are controlled remotely, typically as part of a botnet. A botnet consists of numerous bots, or infected computers, that hackers can manipulate to execute malicious activities, including launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, sending spam, or distributing malware.

The notion that a bot can represent a computer system running malware highlights the dual nature of these entities as both tools for automation and as vehicles for malicious activities when they are compromised. This understanding of bots as instruments of cybercriminals is crucial for cybersecurity professionals in order to develop effective defense strategies against botnets and related attacks.

In contrast, the other options do not capture the essence of how "bot" is defined in cybersecurity. For instance, while a network of computers performing automated tasks describes one aspect of bots, it lacks the emphasis on the malicious intent and control characteristic of compromised systems. An individual tasked with maintaining security systems does not fit the definition of a bot, as this refers more to human roles within cybersecurity. Lastly, a specific type of security breach does not apply, as a