Which term describes computers infected with malware that are controlled remotely by a botnet?

The term that best describes computers infected with malware and controlled remotely by a botnet is "Zombie computers." This term specifically refers to individual machines that have been compromised by malware, allowing an attacker to manipulate them without the owner's consent. These computers can be harnessed to carry out various malicious activities, such as sending spam, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or stealing sensitive information.

The concept of a zombie computer highlights the issues of security vulnerabilities and the risks associated with malware infections, making it crucial for cybersecurity professionals to understand how these systems can be used against individuals and organizations alike.

Although smart devices, data miners, and network nodes are relevant terms in the realm of computing and networking, they do not specifically refer to compromised computers under the control of a malicious botnet. Smart devices can include IoT devices that may also face security issues, but they are not limited to malware control. Data miners refer to software or processes used to analyze data for patterns, which is unrelated to compromised systems, while network nodes refer to any device attached to a network, emphasizing connectivity rather than malware infection.