cyberspy
Online intelligence operative
A cyberspy is someone who conducts espionage through digital means—hacking into computer systems, networks, or databases to steal sensitive information.
The term typically refers to state-sponsored operatives targeting government secrets, military intelligence, or corporate data: The cyberspy infiltrated the defense contractor's network for months before being detected.
Harmful computer programs
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- backdoorHidden bypass mechanism
- rootkitHidden unauthorized access software
zero-day · ransomware · keylogger · botnet · spyware · vulnerability · breach · intrusion
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- counterintelligenceDefense against enemy espionage
infiltration · reconnaissance · tradecraft · dead-drop · cipher · dossier · defector · handler
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
- interceptionSeizing something in transit
webcam · microphone · metadata · geolocation · keystroke · dragnet · SIGINT
Sovereign political territory
- LazarusBiblical man raised from death
- contractorHired construction professional
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
- state-sponsoredBacked by national authorities
attribution · proxy · NSA
Basic physical systems
- governmentAuthority over a state
- defenseProtection against harm
- corporateOf or relating to companies
- classifiedRestricted from disclosure
diplomatic · financial · telecommunications · aerospace · research · military · embassy · nuclear
malware
Harmful computer programs
rootkit · zero-day · ransomware · keylogger · botnet · spyware · vulnerability · breach · intrusion · payload
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- agentOne who acts independently
- moleSubterranean insectivore
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
counterintelligence · infiltration · reconnaissance · tradecraft · dead-drop · cipher · dossier · defector · handler · asset
monitoring
Ongoing observation of something
- wiretapHidden listening device
- eavesdropListen to private conversations
- trackingMonitoring location over time
interception · webcam · microphone · metadata · geolocation · keystroke · dragnet · SIGINT
nation-state
Sovereign political territory
- LazarusBiblical man raised from death
- contractorHired construction professional
- mercenarySoldier fighting for pay
state-sponsored · attribution · proxy · NSA
infrastructure
Basic physical systems
- governmentAuthority over a state
- defenseProtection against harm
- corporateOf or relating to companies
classified · diplomatic · financial · telecommunications · aerospace · research · military · embassy · nuclear · supply-chain
- espionagespies, double agent, double agents, moles, secret agents
- cybersecurityantivirus, malware, firewall, firewalls, encryption
- Online Manipulatorstroll, bot, shill, sock puppet, sockpuppet
cyberspyfield agent
Deployed intelligence operative
case officer · mole · infiltrator · undercover agent · sleeper agent
- cybersecurity expertsDigital system protection specialists
- cybersecurity threatsDangers to digital systems
- cybersecurity toolsPrograms protecting computer networks
- cybersecurity trainingEducation in digital protection