In this hyper-connected world, cyber attacks that threaten the internet are a terrifying prospect. Cyber-attacks exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems and networks of computer data, or trick users to gain illegal access, with the intent to either steal, destroy or manipulate data and systems. Cyber-attacks in various forms have become a global problem. The real world and the virtual world have become so interdependent. So cybercrime, cyber terrorism, cyber warfare, etc., increased a lot.
Cyberterrorism is the intentional use of computers, networks, and the public internet to cause destruction and harm for personal objectives. It is the convergence of cyberspace and cyber terrorism. It refers to unlawful attacks and threats of attacks against computers, networks, and the information stored therein when done to intimidate or coerce a government or its people in furtherance of political or social objectives. And Cyberwar has been described as a revolution in military affairs, a transformation of technology and doctrine capable of overturning the prevailing world order. This characterization of the threat from cyberwar, however, reflects a common tendency to conflate means and ends.
Our physical world has pretty much got to the point of no return, where our dependency on technology and technology's dependence on the internet that the economy cannot exist without them. If anything happens to the internet we have got a real problem. In cyber operations, the only weapons that need to be used are bits and bytes. Technology has always been pivotal in warfare, from the longbow to the atomic bomb.
In this cyber era of warfare, logistics issues that often restrict and limit conventional warfare and weaponry are not impediments. States building cyber weapons capability to support their kinetic capability. This new cyber weaponry moves at the speed of light, is available to every human on the planet, and can be as surgical as a scalpel or as devastating as a nuclear bomb. Cyber weapons are low-cost, low-risk, highly effective, and easily deployable globally. These new weapons can overcome many of the disadvantages of traditional weaponry and innately have plausible deniability.
Cyber weapons are software-based information technology tools that can affect damaging, destructive, or degrading effects on the network system against which it is directed. These are most effective when they are developed in secret to target a vulnerability and hold the little capability to act as a deterrent. This new class of weapons is within reach of many countries, extremist or terrorist groups, non-state actors, and even individuals. Cybercrime organizations are developing cyber weapons effectively.
Data-driven propaganda spreads at the speed of light and is targeted, making it a much more effective weapon to use as part of the cyber arsenal. Any cyber incident has the potential to be devastating, but modern attacks have real-world consequences beyond knocking a few percent off a share price. So Cyber assassinations are only a matter of time. Cyber weapons may not produce the physical destruction and loss of life traditionally linked to kinetic weapons.
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