cyberwar

British  

/ ˈsaɪbəˌwɔː /

noun

1. another term for information warfare

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Explanation

Using computer technology to attack a country's government is known as cyberwar. Waging cyberwar on a foreign power might involve hacking its computer networks. The term cyberwar is slightly different from other kinds of cybercrime, in that it refers specifically to politically motivated attacks on a state or government — or occasionally, on another organization. Today's spies might commit espionage, a form of cyberwar, by hacking into networks to obtain state secrets. The word cyberwar itself uses the technological prefix cyber-, combined with war, from the Old English root wyrre, or "military conflict."

Example Sentences

The key issues will be the supply of raw materials, interest rates, and a possible cyberwar.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

Cyberattacks and cyberwar continue and will only increase.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 18, 2025

Musk, the chief executive of Starlink’s parent, SpaceX, tweeted last May: “Starlink has resisted Russian cyberwar jamming & hacking attempts so far, but they’re ramping up their efforts.”

From Washington Post • Apr. 20, 2023

There are also hefty increases for Artificial Intelligence and cyberwar activities.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2023

A new generation of sophisticated hackers is emerging from the Russian war in Ukraine as activist-minded operators get hands-on cyberwar training that could be used outside the conflict, the cyberintelligence firm Recorded Future warns.

From Washington Times • Feb. 23, 2023