noun
zombie
A computer secretly controlled remotely by an attacker.
The attacker uses a zombie to send messages without its owner's knowledge.
Etymology
The folkloric figure is associated with control by another will. A compromised computer similarly carries out an attacker's remote commands without its owner's authorization.
More examples
- Several infected computers became zombies in the network.
- The security team disconnected the zombie from the internet.
- The report traced traffic from thousands of zombies.
Forms
zombie · zombies
Similar words
- bot
- May be harmless software; zombie specifically implies compromised control.
- compromised computer
- A compromised computer need not be remotely used as part of a botnet.