Final answer:
A botnet is a collection of compromised computers controlled by an attacker to carry out tasks such as DDoS attacks and email spamming.
Step-by-step explanation:
A botnet is a network of computers infected with malicious software, which allows a hacker or group of hackers to control them remotely without the owners' knowledge. These compromised computers, often referred to as "bots" or "zombies," are used to carry out a variety of automated tasks over the Internet.
Two Common Uses of Botnets:
- Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attacks: Botnets are frequently used to overwhelm websites and online services with traffic, rendering them inaccessible to legitimate users.
- Email Spamming: Botnets can also send out massive amounts of unsolicited emails, which can include spam, phishing emails, or emails spreading malware.