zombie computer

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

• zombie client