Basically the title. Will a botnet be illegal, even if users consent to everything the botnet will do, and everything the botnet does is legal? (In the US, Colorado)
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1Well, do you count things like BOINC as a botnet?– xngtngCommented Apr 2, 2022 at 21:43
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no not really, probably– ln128Commented Apr 2, 2022 at 22:20
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1What legal things do you think a botnet would do then?– xngtngCommented Apr 2, 2022 at 22:24
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idk, just possibly, notify apis from different places, and average it– ln128Commented Apr 2, 2022 at 22:28
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You mean like RECAP?– Harper - Reinstate MonicaCommented Apr 2, 2022 at 22:47
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1 Answer
"Botnet" refers to an illicit collection of remotely-controlled computers taking commands from a C2 (Command and Control server) and is thus by definition always illegal. However, there is no law against releasing or using software which accepts commands of various types from a central server, and this is quite common for remote access tools, as long as the user consents. It is only called a botnet if the users do not consent to its presence. If they do consent, it's not a botnet.
One example is DarkComet, which includes features such as remote file editing, screen viewing, and keylogging. All of these features have legitimate uses, and a network of computers controlled with this software would not be considered a botnet unless it was created illegally in the first place.
It's like the term "battery". Battery is never legal, but that doesn't mean that boxers are breaking the law by participating in that sport and punching each other. If you consent to being punched, then it's not battery. Likewise if you consent to running a remote access tool, it's not a botnet.
