cybercriminal
Online theft perpetrator
A cybercriminal is someone who commits crimes using computers or the internet—hacking, fraud, identity theft, ransomware attacks, and similar offenses.
The term covers everyone from lone hackers to members of organized criminal networks: Cybercriminals stole millions of credit card numbers from the retailer's database.
Notable act or abuse
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- penetrationEntry into something
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
- backdoorHidden bypass mechanism
rootkit · botnet · worm · virus · zero-day · payload · cracking · blackhat
Dishonest money-making scheme
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- impersonationPretending to be another
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
forgery · embezzlement · spoofing · pharming · vishing · smishing · romance scam · advance fee
Hostage-taking code
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
- adwarePromotional software nuisance
- spywareHidden surveillance program
- malvertisingHarmful code in ads
infection · quarantine · antivirus · payload · dropper · polymorphic · fileless · wiper
Unauthorized access to protected information
- exfiltrationCovert withdrawal of people/data
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- intellectual property theftUnauthorized use of protected creations
- doxxingPublishing personal information maliciously
leaking · dumping · carding · corporate espionage · trade secrets
Unknown identity state
- torHigh rocky outcrop
- onionPungent layered bulb
- cryptocurrencyEncrypted decentralized money
- undergroundBelow ground or countercultural
blackmarket · marketplace · darknet · escrow · vendor · money mule
Protection from threat
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- unauthorized accessEntry without permission
incident · patch · forensics · detection · response · alert · audit · containment
exploit
Notable act or abuse
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- penetrationEntry into something
- intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
backdoor · rootkit · botnet · worm · virus · zero-day · payload · cracking · blackhat · grayhat
scam
Dishonest money-making scheme
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
- impersonationPretending to be another
deception · forgery · embezzlement · spoofing · pharming · vishing · smishing · romance scam · advance fee · catfishing
ransomware
Hostage-taking code
- keyloggerSoftware recording typed input
- adwarePromotional software nuisance
- spywareHidden surveillance program
malvertising · infection · quarantine · antivirus · payload · dropper · polymorphic · fileless · wiper · logic bomb
data breach
Unauthorized access to protected information
- exfiltrationCovert withdrawal of people/data
- piracySeaborne theft or bootlegging
- intellectual property theftUnauthorized use of protected creations
doxxing · leaking · dumping · carding · corporate espionage · trade secrets
anonymity
Unknown identity state
- torHigh rocky outcrop
- onionPungent layered bulb
- cryptocurrencyEncrypted decentralized money
underground · blackmarket · marketplace · darknet · escrow · vendor · money mule
security
Protection from threat
- firewallNetwork access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
unauthorized access · incident · patch · forensics · detection · response · alert · audit · containment · remediation
- Crookscrook, swindler, fraudster, embezzler, con artist
- lawbreakersthief, robber, burglar, vandal, smuggler
- criminalsmurderer, thief, burglar, killer, robber
- cyberattacksmalware, phishing, ransomware, hack, virus
- Hackershacker, black hat, cracker, script kiddie, hacktivist
- thievesthief, robber, burglar, pickpocket, shoplifter
cybercriminalsecurity researcher
One who finds system vulnerabilities
white hat · white-hat · security consultant · compliance officer
cybercriminalsecurity engineer
Tech professional preventing breaches