Glossary
Term
Definition
Advanced Persistent
An attack in which perpetrators successfully gain access to a targeted system, and stay
Threat (APT)
undetected for a long period of time to exfiltrate, modify, or destroy critical data. APTs can
also refer to the advanced, and often state-linked or state-sponsored threat actors that
conduct extended campaigns, such as cyber espionage.
Attack Surface
Referring to all vulnerable resources of a system, or the sum of the points through which an
attacker could try to enter an environment.
Bot/Botnet
Definition
Denial-of-Service
Where an attacker attempts to prevent legitimate users from accessing information
(DoS) /
or services online. The most common and obvious type of DoS attack occurs when an
Distributed DoS
attacker “floods” a network with information. In a distributed DoS attack, an attacker
(DDoS)
takes unauthorised control of multiple computers, which may be harnessed as a botnet,
to launch a DoS attack.
Downloader
owners’ knowledge.
A trial-and-error method which involves trying various combinations of usernames and
passwords repetitively to gain access into a computer system or website.
Command and Control
Centralised devices operated by attackers to maintain communications with compromised
(C&C) servers
systems (known as botnets) within a targeted network.
Critical Information
The computer or computer system necessary for the continuous delivery of an essential
Infrastructure (CII)
service, which the loss or compromise thereof will have a debilitating effect on the availability
Hacktivists
A form of digital token secured by cryptography and can be used as a medium of exchange,
a unit of account, or a store of value. Used synonymously with digital or virtual currency.
hacking an organisation’s website.
Industrial Control
ICS belong to a class of Operational Technology (OT) systems used in nearly every industrial
Systems (ICS)
sector to monitor, control and automate industrial operations and processes.
Internet of Things (IoT)
The vast network of everyday objects, such as baby monitors, printers, televisions, and
autonomous vehicles, that are connected to the Internet.
Malspam
The complex environment resulting from the interaction of people, software and services on
Malicious spam or malware spam; spam e-mail that delivers malware, and usually includes
malicious URLs or infected attachments.
Malware
Malicious software intended to perform unauthorised processes that will have adverse impact
on the security of a computer system, such as virus, worm, Trojan horse, spyware and adware.
Personal Data/
Data which, on its own (e.g. full name, NRIC number) or in combination with other available
Information
data (e.g. medical or educational information), can be used to distinguish or trace an
individual’s identity.
Examples include Bitcoin, Ether, and Litecoin.
Cyberspace
An individual or a group who wants to undermine the reputation or destabilise the operations
of an entity, or to publicise their political or social agenda and gain recognition, usually by
of essential services in Singapore.
Cryptocurrency
A type of malware which connects to another website or server to download, and sometimes
run, other malware on an affected system.
An automated software program used to carry out specific tasks. A botnet is a network of
compromised computers infected with malicious bots, controlled as a group without the
Brute-force attack
Term
Phishing
A common technique used by threat actors to trick people (typically through e-mails) into
divulging personal information, transferring money, or installing malware.
the Internet by means of technological devices and networks connected to it, which does not
exist in any physical form.
Singapore’s cyberspace includes domain names with “.SG” or Singapore-mentions, Internet
Ransomware
Malware that encrypts files on a victim’s device, rendering them unusable until a ransom is
paid, usually in the form of Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies. It may spread through phishing
Protocol (IP) addresses used in Singapore, and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) located here.
e-mails that contain malicious attachments or links, or malicious pop-ups that appear when
users access unsafe websites.
Dark Web
A section of the Internet only accessible through software that allows users to remain
anonymous or untraceable. The Dark Web is part of the Deep Web. The Deep Web
encompasses web resources that search engines like Google and Yahoo cannot find, such as
Spoofing
Tricking computer systems or other users by hiding or faking one’s true identity.
Commonly spoofed targets include e-mails, IP addresses, and websites.
legitimate but private resources (e.g. e-mail), or public resources behind a paywall or log-in
wall (e.g. paid journal subscriptions).
Trojan
Data Breach
A type of malware which disguises itself as a legitimate software to trick users into
downloading and installing it on their systems. Once activated, the malware will carry out
The unauthorised access, collection, use, disclosure, copying, modification, or disposal of
malicious actions that it is designed for.
personal data or confidential information in an organisation’s possession or under its control.
Watering-hole attack
A type of cyber-attack targeting a particular organisation, where malware is delivered from
websites that are regularly visited by the organisation’s members, and consequently infects
its systems.
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SINGAPORE CYBER LANDSCAPE 2019
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