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cyberterrorism

/ˌsaɪbərˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/
IPA guide

When someone uses the internet to cause fear and turmoil by disrupting computer networks, that's cyberterrorism.

Some experts argue that the term cyberterrorism should only be used to describe online actions by known terrorist groups. Most people use it to describe any deliberate large-scale network disruption, especially attacks intended to further ideological or political goals. Malware, computer viruses, and hacking government systems are all examples of cyberterrorism. The prefix cyber- refers generally to computers, from cybernetics, the science of communications and control systems.

Definitions of cyberterrorism
  1. noun
    an assault on electronic communication networks
    see moresee less
    type of:
    act of terrorism, terrorism, terrorist act
    the calculated use of violence (or the threat of violence) against civilians in order to attain goals that are political or religious or ideological in nature; this is done through intimidation or coercion or instilling fear
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