Botnet Rental Prices Start at $99, According to Kaspersky Analysis

Analysts from Kaspersky Lab have studied advertisements offering botnet-related services on the dark web and in specialized Telegram channels. Their research revealed that the lowest price for using a botnet is $99, while the highest can reach up to $10,000.

Commercial Botnet Services: Options and Pricing

According to the researchers, common commercial uses for botnets include rental, custom development, and the purchase of inexpensive botnets with leaked source code. Botnets can be created using vulnerable consumer and corporate devices, such as those with weak passwords—ranging from smart cameras to advanced industrial equipment.

Notably, in the first half of 2024, the number of infected IoT devices in Russia doubled compared to the same period last year.

Botnet Features and Customization

Botnets can be customized and differ in infection methods, types of malware used, infrastructure, and detection evasion techniques. They are often developed for sale, with prices depending on quality. As mentioned, prices start at $99.

Rental and Purchase Costs

• Botnet rental: Experts report that rental prices range from $30 to $4,800 per month.
• Leaked-source botnets: These are more accessible but less likely to deliver results for attackers. Access can be free or cost a nominal fee, typically between $10 and $50.
• Custom botnet development: Creating a botnet from scratch on a custom order starts at $3,000. Most of these deals are made privately via direct messages, with clients choosing developers based on their reputation.