What is the meaning of the term botnet?

A botnet is a network of internet-connected devices that have been infected with malware and are controlled remotely by a cybercriminal. These devices, often referred to as "bots" or "zombies," can be used to carry out various malicious activities, such as sending spam emails, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, stealing sensitive information, or spreading further malware. Botnets are typically used to carry out large-scale cyber attacks and can be difficult to detect and dismantle.