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What is a Bot? How They Work for and Against Cybercriminals

  • Panda Security

    • What is a bot?

    Bots are software programs on the internet or a local network that can automatically interact with other systems or users based on instructions from their programmers. They can collect information from the web, chat with you (chatbots), and accomplish goals with conversational instructions (AI bots).

    Automated bots can help you handle simple tasks without putting in the legwork. But not all bots are good; cybercriminals can use them to automate nefarious tasks, such as password theft. In fact, 37% of internet traffic is made up of “bad bots,” making it one of the most common tools for bad actors on the web.

    Learn how these bots work, the different types of bots, and how to protect yourself in this guide.

    What do bots do?

    Bots automatically perform tasks over the internet or a local network that range from simple, such as answering common customer service questions, to more complex, such as scanning entire websites to index their content for search engines. 

    Think of bots as digital assistants that can work much faster than humans, often without supervision. They often follow human-created instructions to handle repetitive, time-consuming tasks. But with AI advancements, bots are much more complex.

    Bot as a slang term:

    In online gaming, “bot” is a slang term meaning someone is playing poorly (or robotically). So if you get called a bot in a Discord chat, this may be a mild case of cyberbullying.

    Bots vs. chatbots vs. AI agents

    Bots, chatbots, and AI agents differ in their complexity. Here’s a quick breakdown:

    Bot Chatbot AI agents
    Simplest of the three Made by either programmers or users on AI platforms Often made by users on AI platforms
    Created by programmers; works on “if X do Y” rules May use decision trees based on what you send it Programmed to meet goals through conversations
    Example: Toaster Example: Automated customer service systems Can use external tools to search the internet, read your calendar, or send emails on your behalf

    How do bots work?

    Bots work by following instructions written by humans in programming languages such as Python, Java, or JavaScript. Software developers write code that instructs the bot on what tasks to perform. 

    Through natural language processing (NLP), more bots can understand, interpret and create human language. With machine learning, NLP enables chatbots and virtual assistants to recognize the intent behind messages. This also makes malicious bots harder to detect, as they receive the same human-like benefits.

    AI bots work similarly to “regular” ones, but differ in how they analyze data. Where machine learning (ML) bots make predictions based on pre-programmed rules, AI bots simulate human intelligence.

    Here’s how bots work:

      1. Input: Bots either respond to user inputs (like chat messages) or handle tasks automatically based on predefined rules or algorithms.
      2. Processing: The program creates rules that the bot follows. AI chatbots use natural language processing (NLP) to analyze and understand written words (also known as the prompt).
      3. Connection: Then, bots connect to websites and servers to send and receive information on behalf of users. AI bots rely on training data gathered from other user interactions and training specialists.
      4. Decision: Bots will take action based on rules, such as web crawlers deciding whether or not to archive a page based on website files. AI-powered bots that rely on machine learning (ML) and analyze prompt context and chat history to meet the user’s goal.

    Types of bots

    Bots can be helpful or harmful. Good bots may help you get things done faster, while “bad” bots might spread spam or steal personal information. Here’s how both work: 

    Good bots

    Good bots are built to help people, either through automated customer service, web crawling, or drafting emails. Examples include:

    Part of what makes an AI bot “good” is the rules that tell it to avoid harmful activity. For instance, an AI chatbot would decline if you asked it how to make a bomb.

    Malicious bots

    Malicious bots are programmed to perform malicious actions, such as scraping web data for usernames and passwords. When it comes to bad AI bots, they don’t have the same rules that block harmful content like good bots do. They can include:

    How to detect malicious bots on your device

    Detecting malicious bots can be difficult, as the signs of their activity are similar to those of an aging device. But a few of these signs are clear signs of hacking. Examples include:

    You may already have been affected by a bot if you notice unusual account activity. Look at your login history to spot suspicious devices or locations.

    How to prevent malicious bot activity

    Good online habits, such as keeping your information private, can help you stay safe while browsing. However, you can bump this security up a level with a few extra tools. Here are some tips:

    Use anti-malware software

    Anti-malware programs defend you from malicious bots through detection, blocking, and removal tools. Real-time protection can stop them before they harm your system, keeping you and your family safe. 

    Panda Dome helps protect your device with real-time behavioral detection that helps identify suspicious bot activity. Its firewall also protects your home network from cyber attacks on home and public Wi-Fi networks. 

    Secure online accounts

    Bots use credential stuffing attacks to guess weak passwords and break into accounts. By using strong, unique passwords, you can significantly reduce the risk of bots gaining unauthorized access to your accounts. It’s also important to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) so that criminals need access to codes sent to your email or via text to get into your account.

    Avoid suspicious links or downloads

    Malicious bots can enter your system through unsafe files, so avoid downloading them from unverified websites. Some sites are actually fake and replace characters with numbers or symbols in typosquatting attacks. Even being on these sites is risky, as malvertisements can infect your computer just by visiting sites with malicious advertising.

    Be wary of phishing scams

    Phishing scams, like catphishing, are a common way for malicious bots to access your device. For instance, they may spoof (or copy) the contact information and email structure of the IRS to fool you into thinking you owe tax money. In reality, they’ll ask you to pay in cryptocurrency, a sure sign you’re dealing with a crypto scammer.

    Heads up:

    Bad grammar used to be a clear sign that you’re dealing with a scammer. But malicious generative AI tools allow cybercriminals to create grammar-perfect emails or texts that can fool anyone.

    Keep software updated

    Regular software updates limit what some bots can do by patching vulnerabilities found in outdated software. Here’s where to update on each operating system:

    Don’t overshare online

    Oversharing your information online gives bots more data to work with, allowing them to better mimic you on AI deepfakes or messages. Keep your social media private and be careful about who you add to your friends to help protect yourself. You should also make sure your social media is set to private to help remove online information and block AI access to your account.

    Stay informed about the latest security threats

    Rely on news sources like Google to be aware of malware that targets your device. You should also review warnings from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for national updates. For local updates, follow your local police department or attorney general’s office on Facebook.

    Stay safe with behavioral detection from Panda Security

    Much like Uncle Ben did, bots remind us that great power comes with great responsibility. They can be both good and bad, helping us manage our busy schedules or ruining our week by stealing our online accounts. Thankfully, you don’t have to put up with it.

    Panda Dome offers real-time protection to stop malicious bots before they infect your device. It can also identify dangerous sites that may harbor bots or other kinds of malware, keeping you safe at multiple layers. Download it for free today.

     

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