zombie computer

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word zombie computer. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word zombie computer, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say zombie computer in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word zombie computer you have here. The definition of the word zombie computer will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofzombie computer, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.

English

Etymology

zombie +‎ computer. First use appears c. 1999. See cite below.

Noun

zombie computer (plural zombie computers)

  1. (computing, networking) A computer connected to the Internet that has been compromised by a hacker via a computer virus, computer worm, or Trojan horse program and can be used to perform malicious tasks under the remote direction of the hacker.
    • 1999, Brian Fonseca, “"Denial-of-service attacks employ zombie PCs to hit networks"”, in Infoworld Daily News:
      The danger is manifested in this version because the hackers are gaining control of as many as thousands of vulnerable zombie computers in order to magnify and direct their full-scale assault against a single victim from all directions.

See also