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Glite Dictionary
💻 A digital attack 💻 To hack computers
to cyberattack

to cyberattack

4.4
To attack computer systems to damage them or steal information
  • verb
  • /ˈsaɪbərəˌtæk/
  • Specialized
translation icon : ciberatacar
  • Authorities warned that foreign groups might cyberattack government websites during the election.

Examples

  • The company worked quickly to recover after hackers cyberattacked their main server last week.

  • If you cyberattack a business, you could face serious legal consequences.

  • The hackers cyberattacked the government website.

  • Why did the hackers cyberattack the hospital?

  • Hackers often cyberattack government websites to expose security flaws.

  • After the news of the breach, many companies tightened their security to prevent a cyberattack.

  • The team worked overtime to develop software that could defend against potential cyberattacks.

Synonyms

to hack
vsto cyberattack
  • Texting
207 4.0

To get into a computer or network without permission

is an electronic attack broader than mere access and focused on harm or theft
to crack
vsto cyberattack
  • Jargon
102 8.4

To break into a computer or online account without permission

is an electronic attack broader than access aiming to harm or steal information

How Harmful

to sabotage
164 7.1
to cyberattack
  • Specialized
4.4
to intrude
105 4.4
to probe
23 4.6

Surface Forms

cyberattack infinitive
cyberattacked past
cyberattacked past participle
cyberattacking present participle
cyberattacks third person singular

Morphology

cyberattack = attack (transparent) = cyber + attack

The verb is formed by adding the productive element 'cyber-' to the verb 'attack' (or by verbing the compound noun), giving the straightforward meaning 'to attack digitally'.

Etymology

Cyberattack as a verb comes from the same parts: cyber 'computer or online' and attack 'to strike'. So to cyberattack is to deliberately use computers or the internet to harm systems or steal information.