cyberwarfare
Online state attacks
Cyberwarfare is hostile action between nations or groups conducted through computer networks—attacking infrastructure, stealing intelligence, or disrupting communications.
Unlike conventional warfare, cyberwarfare can be difficult to attribute and may blur lines between military and civilian targets: The power grid went down in what officials suspected was an act of cyberwarfare.
Also spelled cyber warfare.
Malicious digital intrusion
- DDoSTraffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- phishingFraudulent credential harvesting
virus · worm · botnet · zero-day · exploit · logic bomb · APT · watering hole
Network access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cyberdefenseProtecting networks from attacks
- intrusion detectionSpotting unauthorized access attempts
- antivirusMalware detection program
authentication · two-factor · VPN · air gap · honeypot · sandboxing · resilience · attribution
Backed by national authorities
- critical infrastructureEssential services and facilities
- power gridLinked transmission system
- PentagonU.S. military headquarters
- NSAFederal cryptologic intelligence agency
strategic · battlefield · deterrence · doctrine · theater · classified · reconnaissance · sabotage
Sovereign political territory
- hacktivistIdeological computer infiltrator
- insider threatDanger from within organization
- terroristViolent political intimidator
- criminal syndicateOrganized group committing crimes
proxy · intelligence agency · contractor · whistleblower · black hat · Anonymous · script kiddie · lone wolf
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
- fake newsIntentionally deceptive media content
troll farms · deepfakes · astroturfing · kompromat · psychological operations · media manipulation
Basic physical systems
- power gridLinked transmission system
- financial systemsInstitutions handling money movement
- hospitalsInstitutions treating the sick
- telecommunicationsRemote signal transmission technology
water supply · transportation · nuclear facilities · satellites · military bases · banking · stock exchange · emergency services
cyberattack
Malicious digital intrusion
- DDoSTraffic flood attack
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
- malwareHarmful computer programs
phishing · virus · worm · botnet · zero-day · exploit · logic bomb · APT · watering hole · man-in-the-middle
firewall
Network access control system
- encryptionConverting data into code
- cyberdefenseProtecting networks from attacks
- intrusion detectionSpotting unauthorized access attempts
antivirus · authentication · two-factor · VPN · air gap · honeypot · sandboxing · resilience · attribution · countermeasures
state-sponsored
Backed by national authorities
- critical infrastructureEssential services and facilities
- power gridLinked transmission system
- PentagonU.S. military headquarters
NSA · strategic · battlefield · deterrence · doctrine · theater · classified · reconnaissance · sabotage · psyops
nation-state
Sovereign political territory
- hacktivistIdeological computer infiltrator
- insider threatDanger from within organization
- terroristViolent political intimidator
criminal syndicate · proxy · intelligence agency · contractor · whistleblower · black hat · Anonymous · script kiddie · lone wolf · sleeper cell
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- disinformationIntentional deceptive falsehoods
- misinformationFalse data spread unintentionally
- psyopsStrategic manipulation of adversaries' thinking
fake news · troll farms · deepfakes · astroturfing · kompromat · psychological operations · media manipulation
infrastructure
Basic physical systems
- power gridLinked transmission system
- financial systemsInstitutions handling money movement
- hospitalsInstitutions treating the sick
telecommunications · water supply · transportation · nuclear facilities · satellites · military bases · banking · stock exchange · emergency services · air traffic control
- counterterrorismDelta Force, raid, Navy SEALs, SAS, intelligence gathering
- cyberpunkchrome, cyberware, implant, augmentation, augment
- global threatsterrorism, nuclear war, cyberattacks, pandemic, nuclear weapons
- Pentagon ProgramsDARPA, F-22, F-22 Raptor, F-35, B-2 bomber
- DARPAARPANET, TCP/IP, hypersonics, stealth technology, unmanned vehicles
- military doctrinecombined arms, deterrence, total war, blitzkrieg, defense in depth
cyberwarfareconventional warfare
Armed conflict using standard military forces
traditional warfare · naval warfare · trench warfare · hand-to-hand combat · nuclear warfare
warfare, cyber, cyberspace, cybercrime, cybernetics, cybersecurity, cybercafe, cyberterrorism, guerrilla warfare