bad actor
One causing harm
A bad actor is someone who behaves dishonestly or causes harm, especially in contexts involving security, business, or public trust: The platform banned bad actors who spread misinformation.
In cybersecurity, bad actors are malicious individuals or groups who exploit vulnerabilities.
The term comes from theater, where it originally meant simply an unskilled performer—a sense now largely eclipsed by the figurative one.
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- con manFraud through false trust
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
fraud · pretender · fake · phony · trickster · manipulator · schemer · double-dealer
Hostile, isolated country
- foreign agentSomeone representing another nation
- saboteurOne who deliberately undermines
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
- agitatorOne who foments discord
terrorist · insurgent · operative · asset · mole · spy · double agent · sleeper cell
Cured pig thigh
- woodenMade from timber
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
- scenery-chewingTheatrical overperformance
miscasting · B-movie · flop · cringe · stiff · unconvincing · amateurish · Razzie
Unauthorized system accessor
- breachBreaking of agreement
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- exploitNotable act or abuse
ransomware · botnet · vulnerability · intrusion · DDoS · backdoor · zero-day · spyware
Criminal deceiver for gain
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
- embezzlerOne misappropriating entrusted funds
forger · identity thief · money launderer · racketeer · counterfeiter · smuggler · trafficker · extortionist
impostor
One feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- con manFraud through false trust
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
hustler · fraud · pretender · fake · phony · trickster · manipulator · schemer · double-dealer · snake oil salesman
rogue state
Hostile, isolated country
- foreign agentSomeone representing another nation
- saboteurOne who deliberately undermines
- provocateurOne who deliberately incites
agitator · terrorist · insurgent · operative · asset · mole · spy · double agent · sleeper cell · subversive
ham
Cured pig thigh
- woodenMade from timber
- stiltedUnnaturally formal in expression
- overactingExcessive theatrical performance
scenery-chewing · miscasting · B-movie · flop · cringe · stiff · unconvincing · amateurish · Razzie · turkey
hacker
Unauthorized system accessor
exploit · ransomware · botnet · vulnerability · intrusion · DDoS · backdoor · zero-day · spyware · attack vector
fraudster
Criminal deceiver for gain
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- con artistProfessional fraud perpetrator
embezzler · forger · identity thief · money launderer · racketeer · counterfeiter · smuggler · trafficker · extortionist · fence
- troublemakerstroublemaker, rascals, delinquents, imps, brats
bad actorhonest broker
Impartial third-party negotiator
straight shooter · white hat · ally · good citizen · team player
bad actorally
Supportive partner
trusted partner · friend · collaborator · supporter · teammate