cyber terrorism
Online infrastructure sabotage
Cyber terrorism is the use of computer attacks to cause fear, disruption, or harm for political or ideological purposes—targeting critical infrastructure, government systems, or civilian networks.
The term blurs the line between hacking and traditional terrorism: Officials warned that cyber terrorism could cripple the power grid.
Whether a given attack qualifies as cyber terrorism or mere cybercrime often depends on the attacker's motives and the scale of disruption.
Traffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
grid · utilities · communications · transportation · systems · critical infrastructure · power grid · water supply
Protecting networks from attacks
- firewallNetwork access control system
- antivirusMalware detection program
- encryptionConverting data into code
- authenticationConfirming genuine identity
biometrics · intrusion detection · monitoring · resilience · countermeasures · national security
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- botnetRemotely controlled infected computers
- wormLimbless soil invertebrate
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
rootkit · exploit · zero-day · backdoor · social engineering · brute force · infiltration · APT
Illegal digital conduct
- extortionObtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- espionageCovert intelligence gathering
blackmail · data breach · money laundering · illegal access · conspiracy · theft · scamming · cyberstalking
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- threatIndication of potential harm
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
- alarmUrgent warning signal
paranoia · menace · intimidation · propaganda · psychological warfare · chaos · uncertainty · vulnerability
DDoS
Traffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
sabotage · grid · utilities · communications · transportation · systems · critical infrastructure · power grid · water supply · financial systems
cyberdefense
Protecting networks from attacks
- firewallNetwork access control system
- antivirusMalware detection program
- encryptionConverting data into code
authentication · biometrics · intrusion detection · monitoring · resilience · countermeasures · national security
phishing
Fraudulent credential harvesting
- botnetRemotely controlled infected computers
- wormLimbless soil invertebrate
- spywareHidden surveillance program
keylogger · rootkit · exploit · zero-day · backdoor · social engineering · brute force · infiltration · APT · state-sponsored
cybercrime
Illegal digital conduct
- extortionObtaining through threats
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
espionage · blackmail · data breach · money laundering · illegal access · conspiracy · theft · scamming · cyberstalking · prosecution
panic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
- threatIndication of potential harm
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- dreadIntense anticipatory fear
alarm · paranoia · menace · intimidation · propaganda · psychological warfare · chaos · uncertainty · vulnerability · helplessness
- cyberattacksmalware, phishing, ransomware, hack, virus
- cybercrimeshacking, phishing, malware, ransomware, data breach
- Cyberthreatsmalware, phishing, ransomware, hacking, viruses
- Cyberwarfarecyberwar, cyberdefense, state actor, state actors, malware
cyber terrorismbombing
Attack with explosives
guerrilla warfare · armed assault · suicide bombing · car bombing · traditional warfare
cyber terrorismcyber security
Protection of digital systems
cyber defense · cybersecurity · information security · network defense · ethical hacking
cyber, terrorism, cyberspace, cybernetic, cybernetics, cyborg, terrorist, terrorize, terrorized