botmaster Someone who remotely controls one or more botnets (a set of exploited computer systems) via the internet, typically via a simple interface such as IRC chat. They may then rent out the ability to conduct various nefarious activities, such as DDoS attacks, on the black market. Botmasters can also be government agencies conducting various kinds of cyberwarfare or astroturfing propaganda campaigns in a thin attempt to legitimize their authority and influence the popular psyche.