Meaning & use
cyberattacks
Last updated
“cyberattacks” is a form of “cyberattack”.
Meaning
nouncountable
Deliberate attempts to damage or gain unauthorized access to computer systems, networks, or data.
Grammar: Usually plural when talking about multiple incidents; use the singular 'cyberattack' for one event.
Patterns
- launch cyberattacks
- carry out cyberattacks
- a series of cyberattacks
- cyberattacks on something
The company suffered several cyberattacks last year.
Governments are investing more in defending against cyberattacks.
Cyberattacks can shut down power grids and hospitals.
Word forms
| singular | cyberattack |
|---|
Common combinations
- launch a cyberattack
- Hackers launched a cyberattack on the bank's servers.
- suffer a cyberattack
- Many small businesses suffer a cyberattack each year.
- a wave of cyberattacks
- A wave of cyberattacks hit government websites.
- cyberattack on infrastructure
- The cyberattack on infrastructure caused widespread blackouts.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hack
- Informal and often refers to a single breach; 'cyberattack' is broader and more formal.
- data breach
- Focuses on the theft or leak of data; a cyberattack may aim to disrupt rather than steal.
Word family
- cyberattack noun
- Singular form for one attack.
- cyberattacker noun
- A person or group that carries out cyberattacks.
Commonly confused: cyberattacks or cyberwar?
cyberattacks vs cyberwar
Cyberwar is large-scale, state-sponsored conflict in cyberspace; a cyberattack can be a single incident by anyone.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'cyberattacks' does not take 'a' or 'an'. Option An is wrong because 'a' is singular. Option C is wrong because 'cyberattack' needs an article or should be plural. Option D is wrong because 'an' cannot be used with a plural noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “cyberattacks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.