If asked where the next cyberattack might be hiding, most would not point to a Wi-Fi router. Or that aging security camera. Or the VoIP phone sitting idle in a corner of the office.
And yet, those are exactly the kinds of devices attackers are quietly hijacking.
As highlighted in the latest ColorTokens Threat Advisory, this wave of threat actors isn’t crashing networks or locking files for ransom. Instead, they’re borrowing bandwidth, repurposing everyday devices into covert relays, and quietly profiting from systems that remain blissfully unaware.
Access Brief | ColorTokens Threat Advisory team highlights critical vulnerabilities.
Let’s see how monetized botnets work.
Not All Bots DDoS
Botnets are nothing new. Think of them as zombie armies — compromised devices linked together and often used to launch massive Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks or spread malware across the internet.
But this new breed doesn’t want to cause chaos. It’s not after attention. It’s after revenue.
Take PolarEdge, for instance. This botnet isn’t launching spam or takedowns. Instead, it hijacks devices like enterprise firewalls, routers, IP cameras, and VoIP phones. Once compromised, those devices are used as silent relay points that forward attacker traffic — making it nearly impossible to trace the original source.
The entry points are known vulnerabilities in exposed systems. The implant is custom TLS-based backdoor that communicates over encrypted, unusual ports. And the detection rate is close to zero. Because on the surface, everything still works.
Researchers estimate over 40,000 devices have been infected with PolarEdge as of August 2025.
Then Comes Gayfemboy
Gayfemboy is a modern evolution of the infamous Mirai strain. This botnet is more adaptable, more evasive, and significantly more aggressive in scope.
Here’s what it does:
- Targets devices from DrayTek, TP-Link, Raisecom, and Cisco
- Installs XMRig crypto miners to generate digital currency
- Launches DDoS attacks on command
- Opens remote access backdoors
- Detects sandbox environments and self-destructs to avoid analysis
Its reach spans across Brazil, the United States, Germany, Mexico, Vietnam, and more. Affected sectors include manufacturing, telecom, construction, and media.
Gayfemboy is also architecture-agnostic. Whether the device is running ARM, Intel, MIPS, or PowerPC, it can be infected.
Why This Threat Deserves More Attention
It may seem harmless at first. After all, there’s no ransomware note, no system crash, no alert. So, what’s the risk?
Here’s what makes this dangerous:
- Stolen infrastructure: These attacks repurpose business systems for criminal activity. And once an IP gets linked to malicious traffic, the legal and reputational fallout can be severe.
- Hard to detect: There are no obvious signs. Routers still blink. Cameras still stream. Meanwhile, attackers are exfiltrating traffic or mining crypto undetected.
- Harder to clean: Recovery isn’t always simple. Many compromised devices require firmware updates or resets. Some won’t even accept patches unless specific procedures are followed.
This is what sets monetized botnets apart. They’re subtle. Persistent. And focused purely on generating revenue, not headlines.
Read More | What is Microsegmentation and How Can it Limit the Spread of Attackers
How to Respond
Most security teams focus heavily on securing endpoints, servers, and cloud infrastructure. Connected devices like routers, phones, or badge readers often fall to the bottom of the priority list. That has to change.
Here are some practical steps that should be taken now:
- Patch and update all connected devices — including those often overlooked.
- Change all default credentials, especially for internet-facing systems.
- Disable remote management where not required.
- Segment networks to prevent cross-device contamination. Separate IoT and operational systems from critical business workloads.
- Monitor for anomalies, such as unexpected encrypted traffic on high-numbered ports or unexplained spikes in bandwidth.
And most importantly, avoid letting one infected device act as a springboard into the broader environment.
This is where pervasive microsegmentation becomes vital. By isolating workloads, devices, and entire network zones, organizations can contain lateral movement before it spreads. Even if a single router is compromised, it won’t have access to critical applications or data. That containment is key.
Access Report | ColorTokens Named a Leader in the Forrester Wave™ Microsegmentation Report
A Shift in Perspective
These attacks work not just because devices are vulnerable, but because many organizations don’t see them as part of the threat surface. It’s time to zoom out and ask some difficult but necessary questions:
- Which devices in the environment aren’t being monitored?
- Which assets would go unnoticed if compromised?
- What’s quietly siphoning off resources while attention stays locked on servers and endpoints?
The reality is, attackers no longer need to force their way in. They’re already present, operating silently. All it takes is one forgotten device and an open port.
Don’t Let Silence Equal Safety
Cyber threats aren’t always loud. Sometimes they show up as an intermittent lag, a strange log entry, or an unexplained increase in power consumption. Sometimes, it’s the router working overtime — not for business operations, but for an attacker’s payday.
Security teams must assume compromise is already underway and plan accordingly. That means segmentation. Visibility. And breach containment strategies that start before the first alert is triggered.
Looking to get ahead of this quiet but growing threat? The ColorTokens Threat Advisory Team can help assess exposure and recommend practical steps to reduce risk. Get in touch with a threat advisor now.
