A "zombie" attack refers to using compromised computers (zombies) in a botnet to launch coordinated attacks, typically DDoS attacks. These botnets can overwhelm networks, leading to downtime or data breaches.
To defend against such attacks, employing firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and regularly updating software to patch vulnerabilities is crucial. Endpoint protection and network monitoring can also help detect and mitigate threats early.
A notable case was the 2016 Mirai botnet attack, which leveraged IoT devices as zombies to take down major websites. Effective defense includes using strong, unique passwords on devices and segmenting networks.
How have you approached network security in your environment to combat such threats?