logic bomb

Conditional code sabotage

A logic bomb is malicious code hidden within software that triggers when specific conditions are met—a certain date, a user action, or the deletion of an employee's account.

Unlike viruses, logic bombs don't spread; they lie dormant until activated: The disgruntled programmer planted a logic bomb set to corrupt the database after his termination.

malware

payload

Carried freight or charge

backdoorHidden bypass mechanism
rootkitHidden unauthorized access software
wormLimbless soil invertebrate

virus · ransomware · spyware · keylogger · botnet · exploit · cyberweapon · adware · injection · infected

attack

cyberattack

Malicious digital intrusion

breachBreaking of agreement
intrusionUnauthorized entry into space
compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice

data loss · system failure · denial of service · crash · outage · downtime · damage · forensics · detection · antivirus

sabotage

espionage

Covert intelligence gathering

insider threatDanger from within organization
disgruntled employeeResentful person on payroll
corruptionDishonest abuse of power

data destruction · retaliation · intellectual property · trade secret · revenge · termination · severance · whistleblower · mole · infiltration

trigger

timer

Duration-tracking mechanism

deadlineTime limit for completion
countdownBackward enumeration to zero
schedulePlan of timed events

condition · event · date · activation · detonation · tripwire · threshold · dormant · latent · delayed

Categories

cyber threatsmalware, phishing, hacking, virus, ransomware
cyberattacksmalware, phishing, ransomware, hack, virus
hackinghacker, exploit, hacking, dictionary attack, backdoor
malwarevirus, viruses, worm, worms, trojan horse
deceptionslie, lies, lying, deceit, decoy

Opposites

malicious vs. benign code

logic bombsecurity patch

Update addressing software vulnerabilities

antivirus software · utility program · system update · bug fix · bugfix

hidden/triggered vs. transparent/continuous operation

logic bombreal-time protection

Ongoing automatic threat blocking

continuous monitoring · daemon · background process

threat vs. defense

logic bombfirewall

Network access control system

antimalware · antivirus software · security software · virus scanner · threat detection

Family

logic, bomb, logical, logically, illogical, logician, logistics, logistic, logarithm

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Rated PG