Understanding the economic impact of botnets in Bangladesh: insights and strategies from attacker & victim perspectives

Abstract

Botnets pose a significant threat to Bangladesh’s cyberspace and to its economic stability, especially in critical sectors such as finance, government and technology. This research investigates the life cycle and economic impacts of botnets in Bangladesh from multiple perspectives namely the attacker, the general public, and security experts. It explores how botnets target vulnerable systems, the methods and strategies used by attackers to propagate botnets and the financial and operational harm they pose to organizations. Data was collected through surveys targeting both attackers and victims, and also via interviews with cybersecurity professionals to identify effective detection and mitigation strategies. The research findings reveal substantial financial losses due to botnet attacks and emphasizes the need for a robust cybersecurity framework tailored for Bangladesh’s evolving digital landscape. The proposed framework aims to prevent digital casualties for the general public, minimize botnetrelated activities and economic disruptions in government institutions and financial sectors.