Botnet is a jargon term for a collection of software robots, or bots, which run autonomously. A botnet's originator can control the group remotely, usually through a means such as Internet Relay Channel (IRC), and usually for nefarious purposes.
A botnet can comprise a collection of cracked machines running programs (usually referred to as worms, Trojan horses, or backdoors) under a common command and control infrastructure. Individual programs manifest as IRC 'bots'. Often the command and control takes place via an IRC server or a specific channel on a public IRC network. A bot typically runs hidden, and complies with the Request For Comment (RFC) 1459 standard. Generally, the perpetrator of the botnet has compromised a series of systems using various tools (exploits, buffer overflows, as well as others; see also Remote Procedure Calls (RPC)). Newer bots can automatically scan their environment and propagate themselves using vulnerabilities and weak passwords. Generally, the more vulnerabilities a bot can scan and propagate through, the more valuable it becomes to a botnet owner community.
Source: Wikipedia - Botnet
A denial-of-service attack (abbreviated DoS attack) is an attack against the availability of a computer system, network or service, which interferes with its operation, attempting to make it unavailable.
A DoS attack can be launched in a number of ways, though it is generally limited to one of four types:
Information on reporting a Denial of Service attack.
Source: Wikipedia.org - Denial of Service attack
Information technology (IT) or information and communications technology (ICT) is the technology required for information processing. In particular the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and retrieve information from anywhere, anytime.
Source: Wikipedia.org - Information technology
An ICH is a person who hosts Internet content, or who proposes to host Internet content.
Source: Australian Broadcasting Authority - What is an ICH?
More information: Internet Society of Australia -
Who is an Internet Content Host or an Internet Service Provider
An Internet service provider (ISP) is a business or organization that offers users access to the Internet and related services. Most telecommunications operators are ISPs. They provide services such as Internet transit, domain name registration and hosting, dial-up access, leased line access and colocation.
Source: Wikipedia.org - Internet service provider
Short for malicious software, software designed specifically to damage or disrupt a system, such as a virus or a Trojan horse.
Source: Webopedia - Malware?
The act of sending an e-mail to a user falsely claiming to be an established legitimate enterprise in an attempt to scam the user into surrendering private information that will be used for identity theft. The e-mail directs the user to visit a Web site where they are asked to update personal information, such as passwords and credit card, social security, and bank account numbers, that the legitimate organization already has. The Web site, however, is bogus and set up only to steal the user’s information.
Source: Webopedia - Phishing?
Spam is flooding the Internet with many copies of the same message, in an attempt to force the message on people who would not otherwise choose to receive it. Most spam is commercial advertising, often for dubious products, get-rich-quick schemes, or quasi-legal services. Spam costs the sender very little to send -- most of the costs are paid for by the recipient or the carriers rather than by the sender.
Source: Fight Spam on the Internet! (spam.abuse.net) - What is spam?
More information: ACMA - Spam and e-Security
Any software that covertly gathers user information through the user's Internet connection without his or her knowledge, usually for advertising purposes. Spyware applications are typically bundled as a hidden component of freeware or shareware programs that can be downloaded from the Internet; however, it should be noted that the majority of shareware and freeware applications do not come with spyware. Once installed, the spyware monitors user activity on the Internet and transmits that information in the background to someone else. Spyware can also gather information about e-mail addresses and even passwords and credit card numbers.
Source: Webopedia - Spyware
A program or piece of code that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can also replicate themselves. All computer viruses are manmade. A simple virus that can make a copy of itself over and over again is relatively easy to produce. Even such a simple virus is dangerous because it will quickly use all available memory and bring the system to a halt. An even more dangerous type of virus is one capable of transmitting itself across networks and bypassing security systems.
Information on reporting people involved in the creation or distribution of Malware, Botnets and viruses or virus writing tools.
Source: Webopedia - Virus
