When Information Isn't Enough

Hackers and cybercriminals are not just interested in stealing your personal information; they want control of your computers as well. Attackers may use "zombies", which are viruses that gain remote access and control of personal computers, to make a large number of PCs work together to form a "botnet". If attackers had to pay for the networking resources required to generate the amount of spam and phishing attacks they create, it would be costly. By gaining control over a large number of individual PCs, without the users' knowledge, cybercriminals save money and mask their identities. Cybercriminals then use the botnets to distribute spyware, spread viruses, attack networks, and scam computer users with spam and phishing attacks that are designed to get victims to give up their credit card, banking and other personal information.