What distinguishes a botnet from other networks?

A botnet is specifically characterized by being a network of compromised computers, often referred to as "zombies," that are controlled remotely by a malicious actor. These computers typically become part of a botnet when malware infects them, allowing the attacker to orchestrate various forms of cyber activities without the knowledge of the device owners. This might include launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, sending spam, or distributing additional malware.

The defining feature of a botnet is not its speed or the number of organizations involved in its control, but rather that it comprises previously compromised machines. Each compromised computer contributes to the botnet's capabilities, making it a formidable tool for cybercriminal activities. The other choices describe characteristics that do not uniquely define a botnet; for instance, high-speed connections may pertain to many types of networks, not just botnets, while biometric security methods are unrelated to the concept of a botnet.