Discuss how malware and botnets threaten the security of intellectual property

What will be an ideal response?

Malware refers to malicious software designed to attack computer systems. Botnets refer to a collection of computers that have been compromised by malware, often through some vulnerability in their software or operating system. Criminal gangs activate their botnets to capture user IDs, passwords, credit card numbers, Social Security numbers, and other sensitive information. It gives them access to transfer funds, steal identities, and purchase products, or they might just sell the information to other criminals. They also rent out their zombie armies to various customers, such as spammers who use them to relay the millions of unsolicited messages that now comprise the vast majority of Internet email traffic. Malware often gets installed when an innocent user downloads a screen saver or other seemingly benign freebie. Without the user's knowledge, the infected computer becomes a zombie added to the gang's growing botnet.