smurfing

/ ˈsmɜːfɪŋ /

noun

1. computing the activity of using a specially designed computer program to attack a computer network by flooding it with messages, thereby rendering it inoperable
2. the activity of laundering money by conducting a large number of small transactions through banks and bureaux de change

Word History and Origins

Origin of smurfing¹

C20: (sense 1) from smurf , the name of the type of computer program used to carry out such attacks