Glossary

A group who performs analysis of information systems to identify security flaws, verify the effectiveness of each security measure, and to make certain all security measures will continue to be effective after implementation.

A collection of internet-connected devices, referred to as bots, that are commanded and controlled by malicious actors to carry out nefarious activities.

A credential attack method used to crack the username and password of accounts through repeated trial and error.

Hosting services that are lenient about the kinds of activity and material they allow their customers to upload and distribute. These services generally are immune to law enforcement or takedown efforts. Malware and illegal websites are commonly hosted on these types of providers.

A scam that relies heavily on social engineering tactics to trick unsuspecting employees and executives into executing fraudulent wire transfer payments, mainly through corporate email.

The process of transferring illicit proceeds to a threat actor or designated representative. Common methods include ATM withdrawals, purchasing digital currencies, transferring funds to online payment platforms or buying goods or gift cards. Typically at the final stage of a fraudulent scheme.

Malware that targets a computer's clipboard, particularly for the purpose of hijacking a cryptocurrency transaction to swap a wallet address with one owned by the malware author.

A server in control of a hacker or any cybercriminal, which is maliciously used for commanding the various systems that have already been exploited or compromised by malware. These servers are also used for receiving the desired data by the hacker from the compromised machines covertly on the target network.

The act of making malicious code fully undetectable through encryption, making it more difficult for antivirus signature detection.

With regard to malware, cryptocurrency mining, cryptomining, or cryptojacking is malware designed to use a device’s CPU resources to mine cryptocurrency without authorization.

Cyber insurance is an insurance policy that covers an organization business in the event of a cyber attack or data breach where customer information or business continuity is impacted.

The transfer of a large amount of data between two systems, often over a network connection.

An attack occurs when legitimate users are unable to access information systems, devices, or other network resources due to the actions of a malicious cyber threat actor.

A denial of service technique that uses numerous hosts to perform the attack.

Schemes to manufacture, counterfeit, alter, sell and/or use identity documents and other fraudulent documents. Also known as "identity fraud."

Bank accounts, typically online banking or e-commerce, used for receiving illicit funds for cashout or laundering purposes. Typically controlled or compromised by threat actors.

When malware and/or a malicious actor carries out an unauthorized data transfer from a computer. It is also commonly called data extrusion or data exportation

Sets of malicious software, often automated, that utilize compromised websites to divert web traffic, scan for vulnerable browser-based applications and run malware.

The practice of collecting and analyzing data from computer systems, networks, wireless communications, and storage devices that supports an investigation.

The full financial information tied to a payment card beyond standard account information. "Fullz" often include a Social Security Number, date of birth and associated publicly identifiable information.

Evidence found on a computer network or operating system that, with high confidence, indicates a computer intrusion.

Malicious software designed to gather information from a system such as login credentials, keystrokes and screenshots of sensitive information.

The potential for an insider to use their authorized access or understanding of an organization to harm that organization. This harm can include malicious, complacent, or unintentional acts that negatively affect the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of the organization, its data, personnel, or facilities.

Malicious software used to compromise networked devices, such IoT devices, then used for nefarious purposes such as forming botnets to launch network attacks.

Internet Protocol (IP) is the communication standard used to uniquely identify systems on a computer network or across the internet. Networked systems are each assigned an IP address, which is used to uniquely identify and locate that system for the purpose of data transmission.

Malicious software designed to download and/or drop malicious payload code onto an infected computer system. Also referred to as a "dropper."

The use of online advertising to spread malware typically involving injecting malicious or malware-laden advertisements into legitimate online advertising networks and webpages.

The lease of software or hardware for developing, testing and/or distributing malware.

Malicious software designed to compromise devices such as phones, smartwatches and tablets to steal sensitive financial and personal information and to gain remote access.

A person who transfers money acquired illegally (e.g., stolen) in person, through a courier service, or electronically, on behalf of others. Typically, the mule is paid for services with a small part of the money transferred.

An authentication system that requires more than one distinct authentication factor for successful authentication. Multifactor authentication can be performed using a multifactor authenticator or by a combination of authenticators that provide different factors. The three authentication factors are something you know, something you have, and something you are.

A scam when botnets are used to generate money for their operators. A compromised computer is instructed to install a software package via the bot's command and control system. The bot operator then receives payment and, after a short period of time, uninstalls the software package and installs a new one.

An authorized, simulated cyberattack on a computer system, performed to evaluate the security of the system.

Techniques adversaries use to keep access to systems across restarts, changed credentials and other interruptions that could cut off their access. Techniques used for persistence include any access, action or configuration changes that let them maintain their foothold on systems, such as replacing or hijacking legitimate code or adding startup code.

Protected health information (PHI) is the term given to health data created, received, stored, or transmitted by HIPAA-covered entities and their business associates in relation to the provision of healthcare, healthcare operations and payment for healthcare services.

The fraudulent practice of masquerading as a legitimate or reputable entity to trick a victim into revealing personal information, such as passwords or payment card details. Mostly done through email.

Stands for personally identifiable information. Information that when used (alone or with other relevant data) can identify an individual. PII may contain direct information (e.g., passport information) that can identify a person uniquely, or quasi-identifiers (e.g., race) that can be combined with other quasi-identifiers (e.g., date of birth) to successfully recognize an individual.

Malicious software designed to steal information related to financial transactions such as payment card data from compromised PoS (point of sale) devices.

Techniques adversaries use to gain higher-level permissions on a system or network. Adversaries often can enter and explore a network with unprivileged access, but require elevated permissions to follow through on their objectives. Common approaches are to take advantage of system weaknesses, misconfigurations and vulnerabilities. These techniques often overlap with persistence techniques, as OS features that let an adversary persist can execute in an elevated context.

A demonstration that in principle shows how a system may be protected or compromised, without the necessity of building a complete working vehicle for that purpose.

Malicious software, specifically a type of trojan, used to turn an infected computer system into a proxy server from which an attacker can stage nefarious activities anonymously.

Services typically sold or leased as an affiliate program to other cybercriminals for launching ransomware attacks and sharing profits.

The process of identifying critical technical, personnel and organizational elements of intelligence in order to learn how to best attack an network (in the case of a bad actor) or set up defense for a network (in the case of a defensive security team).

A group that performs the role of a threat actor in order to provide security feedback.

Malicious software designed to allow attackers to monitor and control a computer system or network remotely.

A network communications protocol developed by Microsoft, which allows users to remotely connect to another computer. Often a target for adversaries, used as a primary way to enter a network system.

The ability to anticipate, withstand, recover from, and adapt to adverse conditions, stresses, attacks, or compromises on cyber resources.

The detection, assessment, and prioritization of risks through the implementation of choices to track, control, and minimize the possibility or effect of unfortunate events.

Stolen digital certificates actors use to sign malicious software or impersonate legitimate websites.

A form of payment card fraud whereby a payment page on a website is compromised using a malicious script.

The fraudulent practice of tricking a user into revealing sensitive personal data or sending money via a text or SMS message.

The fraudulent practice of tricking social media users into revealing sensitive personal data or sending money. Types include romance scams, sextortion, imposter scams and more.

The fraudulent practice of sending emails ostensibly from a known or trusted sender to induce targeted individuals to reveal confidential information.

Secure Shell Protocol is a cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network.

A class of monitoring software or spyware that is used to stalk a victim.

A type of account takeover fraud that targets a weakness in short message service (SMS)-based two-factor authentication (2FA) and two-step verification by tricking a target’s mobile carrier into transferring someone’s wireless service to a device controlled by an illicit actor.

A third-party breach occurs when an attacker targets an organization through its connections with third-party suppliers, vendors, contractors, or partners.

Credentials in terms of cyber threat intelligence (CTI) refer to methods used to verify a users identity, commonly these are a username and password. These credentials are classified as compromised credentials when an unauthorized user gains possession of them.

The risk that arises from organizations relying on outside parties to perform services or activities on their behalf, particularly associated with cybersecurity.

The leveraged vulnerability that enables a devastating data breach or launches an expensive ransomware attack may not even be within your own organization.

The process of proactively searching through networks to detect and isolate advanced threats that evade existing security solutions.

Services that buy and sell web traffic to direct web users from one website to another, typically to distribute malware.

Virtual network computing (VNC) is a graphical desktop-sharing application that uses a remote frame buffer protocol to remotely control another computer. This form of desktop sharing transmits keyboard and mouse events from one system to another over the network based on screen updates.

Weakness in an information system, system security procedures, internal controls, or implementation that could be exploited or triggered by a threat actor.

A class of malware which wipes the hard drive of the computer it infects.

A self-replicating, stand-alone software program designed to spread throughout a network without human assistance.