The Role of Machine Learning in Botnet Detection

Over the past ten to fifteen years botnets have gained the attention of researchers worldwide. A great deal of effort has been given to developing systems that would efficiently and effectively detect the presence of a botnet. This unique problem saw researchers applying machine learning (ML) to solve this problem. In this paper we provide a brief overview the different machine learning ( ML) methods and the part they play in botnet detection. The main aim of this paper is to clearly define the role different ML methods play in Botnet detection. A clear understanding of these roles are critical for developing effective and efficient real-time online detection approaches and more robust models.