Daemon is a 2006 techno-thriller novel by Daniel Suarez about a distributed computer program that continues operating after its creator's death from brain cancer. The story follows Matthew Sobol, a brilliant programmer who fears for humanity's future and creates the Daemon as a tool to reshape society according to his vision.

When Sobol's obituary triggers the Daemon, it begins eliminating those involved in its creation, including programmers Joseph Pavlos and Chopra Singh. The program then infiltrates hundreds of companies, recruiting human agents and manufacturing advanced autonomous weapons like AutoM8s (driverless cars) and Razorbacks (robotic motorcycles). It also establishes the Darknet, a hidden network for operatives to communicate freely.

The novel follows multiple characters including Detective Pete Sebeck, who is framed by the Daemon and executed before being revived to prove humanity deserves freedom. Hacker Jon Ross joins the government task force before going underground to fight the program. FBI Agent Roy Merritt becomes a folk hero known as "The Burning Man" after pursuing Daemon operative Loki Stormbringer, who massacres the task force and triggers devastating attacks.