cyberwar
Online military conflict
Cyberwar is warfare conducted through digital attacks on computer systems, networks, and infrastructure.
Nations engage in cyberwar to disrupt enemy communications, steal intelligence, or sabotage critical systems like power grids and financial networks.
The term often blurs into cyber espionage and cyberattacks that fall short of traditional armed conflict: The line between cyberwar and routine hacking grows increasingly unclear.
Harmful computer programs
- botnetRemotely controlled infected computers
- DDoSTraffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- zero-dayUnpatched security vulnerability
exploit · worm · phishing · spyware · rootkit · virus · keylogger · payload
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- spycraftMethods of secret agents
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
- eavesdroppingSecretly listening to others
counterintelligence · reconnaissance · clandestine · covert · intercepts · exfiltration · APT · backdoor
Malicious digital intrusion
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
hostilities · aggression · combat · conflict · geopolitics · tension · battlefield · siege
Network access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cyberdefenseProtecting networks from attacks
- attributionAssigning origin or cause
- redundancyNeedless duplication
hardening · monitoring · countermeasures · forensics · recovery
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- nation-statesSelf-governing territorial polities
- proxiesAuthorized stand-ins
- contractorsHired service providers
Essential infrastructure services
- telecommunicationsRemote signal transmission technology
- transportationMoving people or goods
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
- GPSSatellite-based location technology
malware
Harmful computer programs
- botnetRemotely controlled infected computers
- DDoSTraffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
zero-day · exploit · worm · phishing · spyware · rootkit · virus · keylogger · payload · cyberweapon
intelligence
Mental ability, cognitive capacity
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- spycraftMethods of secret agents
- infiltrationCovert entry into organization
eavesdropping · counterintelligence · reconnaissance · clandestine · covert · intercepts · exfiltration · APT · backdoor · tradecraft
cyberattack
Malicious digital intrusion
- offensiveCausing displeasure or attack-oriented
- defensiveProtective or easily threatened
- escalationProgressive increase in intensity
confrontation · hostilities · aggression · combat · conflict · geopolitics · tension · battlefield · siege · invasion
firewall
Network access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cyberdefenseProtecting networks from attacks
- attributionAssigning origin or cause
redundancy · hardening · monitoring · countermeasures · forensics · recovery
hackers
Unauthorized computer system intruders
- nation-statesSelf-governing territorial polities
- proxiesAuthorized stand-ins
- contractorsHired service providers
utilities
Essential infrastructure services
- telecommunicationsRemote signal transmission technology
- transportationMoving people or goods
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
- Cyberwarfarecyberattack, cyberdefense, state actor, state actors, malware
- conflictclash, fight, battle, dispute, feud
- tech policydata privacy, net neutrality, tech policy, digital rights, content moderation
cyberwarconventional war
Armed conflict between states
conventional warfare · ground war · armed conflict · traditional warfare · hot war