From self-affirmation to national security threat

Abstract

This paper aims to study the main stages of cyberattacks’ evolution in terms of the danger they pose, from the first hooligan cyberattacks to modern cyberwars. The authors use empirical qualitative and quantitative research methods to assess the stages of cyberattack development, considering their increasing numbers, diversity, and the creation of the malware employed. The paper provides a better understanding of the causes, conditions, and consequences of the emerging types of cyberattacks. The article concludes by pointing out the three stages in the evolution of cyberattacks and draws upon the main characteristic features of the current state of the cyber environment.

Keywords

• critical infrastructure
• cybercrime
• cyber espionage
• cyber terrorism
• hacker groups
• malware