Zombie

nouncandidate·updated May 9, 2026

A program that is installed on a system to cause it to attack other systems.

Framework senses

SANS Glossary of Security Terms1 senseview framework →
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A zombie computer (often shortened as zombie) is a computer connected to the Internet that has been compromised by a hacker, a computer virus, or a trojan horse. Generally, a compromised machine is only one of many in a botnet, and will be used to perform malicious tasks of one sort or another under remote direction. Most owners of zombie computers are unaware that their system is being used in this way. Because the owner tends to be unaware, these computers are metaphorically compared to zombies.
NISTIR 7298: Glossary of Key Information Security Terms, Revision 21 senseview framework →
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A program that is installed on a system to cause it to attack other systems.
NIST SP 800-831 senseview framework →
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A program that is installed on a system to cause it to attack other systems.