cyberattack

American  

[sahy-ber-uh-tak] / ˈsaɪ bər əˌtæk /

Or cyber attack

noun

1. an attempt to damage, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer, computer system, or electronic communications network.

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Etymology

Origin of cyberattack

First recorded in 1995–2000; cyber- + attack

Example Sentences

A successful cyberattack on any one of them, Anthropic says, could affect "more than 100 million people, with important ramifications for both global and national security."

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Customers of the doughnut brand Krispy Kreme may be eligible for a $3,500 payout following a 2024 cyberattack that exposed Social Security numbers and bank account details.

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

That, along with factors like a cyberattack and a major disagreement with creditors, contributed to a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing for Stoli’s U.S. distribution company and the company that owns the barrels aging Kentucky Owl.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 17, 2026

Stryker in March was hit by a cyberattack, which caused a global disruption to its Microsoft systems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The risk that actually keeps him up at night, he said, is a cyberattack on a large financial institution, something the Fed has never faced and cannot fully model in advance.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026