How to Detect If Your Computer is a Zombie

The FBI has recently launched their "Operation Bot Roast" which aims to help fight identity thieves, hijackers, and botherders. These "botherders" use botnets to take command of other people's computers.

So what is a "bot" or "botnet"? Symantec's site has an explanation. Bots are similar to Trojans and worms but they perform automated tasks for their master (the cybercriminal or the one who infected your computer). These tasks can range from spamming to "denial-of-service" attack. A botnet on the other hand, is a large collection of computers infected by "bots" controlled by a "bot herder" usually through an IRC server. When your computer has been remotely controlled by a "bot herder", it is now a Zombie. Most computer owners are not even aware that their pc has been infected.

Signs that your computer is a zombie

The Washigngtonpost.com has previously released an article on how to tell that your computer may be infected by a "bot". These signs include, poor computer system performance, slower response times and longer start-up and shut-down times, dramatic loss in Internet connection speeds, loss of hard disk space, web browser frequently closes for no apparent reason, browser's home page resets and cannot be changed, new desktop icons and applications, like toolbars, suddenly appear, access to various computer security-related Web sites is blocked, pop-up ads appear even when the Web browser is closed.

Other signs also include, computer seems to be accessing the hard drive constantly, an unresponsive mouse and keyboard, when you open your email there are several bounce notifications from people you never tried to email, there is internet activity or your modem's activity light continuously flashes even when you're not even accessing the net, your virus checker is disabled and you're unable to update your antivirus program.

How did you become infected?