cyberattack

noun

cy·​ber·​at·​tack ˈsī-bər-ə-ˌtak How to pronounce cyberattack (audio)
plural cyberattacks
: an attempt to gain illegal access to a computer or computer system for the purpose of causing damage or harm
An undermine-first strategy allows the United States government to intrude into adversaries' systems, exploiting this covert access to gather intelligence and occasionally to deliver a destructive cyberattack.Joshua A. Kroll
If your data is valuable enough, there is almost nothing you can do to provide total security against an expert adversary. Simply put, the attacker may be smarter than anyone you have defending the network. Cyberattacks are not only impossible to block, they're often difficult to detect; you may not even know you're under attack in the first place.Robert W. Lucky
cyberattacker noun
plural cyberattackers
Cyberattackers constantly evolve their skills and will always find new ways to attack—it's not a question of "if," but of "when." Eileen Dignen

Examples of cyberattack in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
No sooner has Google published a critical threat advisory warning users of the most prolific campaigns targeting their users, than a new and highly dangerous cyberattack has emerged, creating new Android contacts to deceive victims into thinking everything is safe and secure. Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025 The lingerie company Victoria’s Secret has paused online orders while dealing with an apparent cyberattack. Kevin Collier, NBC news, 29 May 2025 In case of a cyberattack, the local health authorities print and file critical patient data once a week. Emma Burrows, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025 In March 2022, U.S. freight forwarder Expeditors International was hit by a cyberattack, forcing the company to temporarily halt operations for eight days. Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 28 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for cyberattack

Word History

First Known Use

1996, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cyberattack was in 1996

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Cite this Entry

“Cyberattack.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cyberattack. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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