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Glite Dictionary
✈️ Seizing a vehicle 💻 Taking online control
hijacking

hijacking

1 7.2
Illegally taking control of a computer system to steal data or send users to fake pages
  • noun
  • /ˈhaɪdʒækɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : secuestro informático
  • DNS hijacking

Examples

  • In either case, this is known as reputation hijacking.

    Blog text (26)

  • So, what can be done about reverse domain name hijacking?

    Blog text (26)

  • If we work to create a negative side to Reverse Domain Name Hijacking, then fewer and fewer companies would engage in this practice.

    Blog text (26)

  • The main problem surrounding Reverse Domain Name Hijacking seems to be finding a consistent standard for UDRP.

    Blog text (26)

  • Like many other undesirable and unethical business practices, Reverse Domain Name Hijacking would be curbed (somewhat) if there were a financial penalty involved.

    Blog text (26)

  • Cybersecurity experts are working hard to prevent hijacking of online accounts by malicious users.

  • The recent hijacking of sensitive data from many networks has raised serious concerns about security.

  • Software vulnerabilities can lead to hijacking that compromises the normal operation of a system.

Synonyms

hacking
vshijacking
  • Texting
2 4.2

Gaining unauthorized access to computer systems to steal or damage data

is more specific, involves taking control to redirect users or interfere with operation

How Harmful

takeover
  • Literature
84 5.4
hijacking
  • Specialized
1 7.2
adware
  • Specialized
2 4.4
redirection
  • Specialized
1 4.1

Surface Forms

hijacking singular
hijackings plural

Morphology

hijacking = hijack (transparent) = hijack + ing

The computing sense is a metaphorical extension of 'taking control' from physical vehicles to digital systems, so the relation to 'hijack' is clear.

Etymology

Hijacking was first used for stealing vehicles, and people later used it for computers and the internet to mean someone 'takes over' a system or account. So computer or browser hijacking is when someone secretly takes control of a device, account, or web traffic, like taking over a vehicle.