The Mirai botnet attack targeted which type of devices?

The Mirai botnet attack targeted which type of devices?

• A. Desktop personal computers
• B. Servers
• C. Online consumer devices such as IP cameras and home routers
• D. Smartphones

Answer: (C)

Mirai shows how insecure, always-connected devices can be recruited into a single attack network to generate huge amounts of traffic. It specifically targeted online consumer devices such as IP cameras, home routers, and similar IoT products that frequently ship with default login credentials and lack ongoing security updates. Once these devices were compromised, they joined a botnet that could be controlled to flood targets with requests, enabling large-scale DDoS attacks. Desktops and servers are generally more protected or located behind stronger defenses and patching practices, and smartphones use different app ecosystems and security models, making them much less the focus of Mirai’s spread. The emphasis on easily exploitable, internet-facing IoT devices is what makes this option the best fit.

Mirai shows how insecure, always-connected devices can be recruited into a single attack network to generate huge amounts of traffic. It specifically targeted online consumer devices such as IP cameras, home routers, and similar IoT products that frequently ship with default login credentials and lack ongoing security updates. Once these devices were compromised, they joined a botnet that could be controlled to flood targets with requests, enabling large-scale DDoS attacks. Desktops and servers are generally more protected or located behind stronger defenses and patching practices, and smartphones use different app ecosystems and security models, making them much less the focus of Mirai’s spread. The emphasis on easily exploitable, internet-facing IoT devices is what makes this option the best fit.