A novel hybrid feature selection and ensemble-based machine learning approach for botnet detection

Abstract In the age of sophisticated cyber threats, botnet detection remains a crucial yet complex security challenge. Existing detection systems are continually outmaneuvered by the relentless advancement of botnet strategies, necessitating a more dynamic and proactive approach. Our research introduces a ground-breaking solution to the persistent botnet problem through a strategic amalgamation of Hybrid Feature Selection methods—Categorical Analysis, Mutual Information, and Principal Component Analysis—and a robust ensemble of machine learning techniques. We uniquely combine these feature selection tools to refine the input space, enhancing the detection capabilities of the ensemble learners. Extra Trees, as the ensemble technique of choice, exhibits exemplary performance, culminating in a near-perfect 99.99% accuracy rate in botnet classification across varied datasets. Our model not only surpasses previous benchmarks but also demonstrates exceptional adaptability to new botnet phenomena, ensuring persistent accuracy in a landscape of evolving threats. Detailed comparative analyses manifest our model's superiority, consistently achieving over 99% True Positive Rates and an unprecedented False Positive Rate close to 0.00%, thereby setting a new precedent for reliability in botnet detection. This research signifies a transformative step in cybersecurity, offering unprecedented precision and resilience against botnet infiltrations, and providing an indispensable blueprint for the development of next-generation security frameworks.