Command and Control
Command and Control (C2) is a cybersecurity concept that refers to the infrastructure and protocols used by attackers to remotely control compromised systems, such as malware-infected computers or botnets. It enables malicious actors to issue commands, exfiltrate data, and maintain persistence in a target environment. In defensive contexts, C2 also describes legitimate administrative frameworks for managing IT assets and incident response.
Developers should understand C2 to build secure applications that can detect and mitigate malicious command channels, such as by implementing network monitoring, anomaly detection, and secure communication protocols. This knowledge is critical in cybersecurity roles, penetration testing, and developing defensive tools to combat threats like ransomware or advanced persistent threats (APTs).