A targeted attack is one that seeks to breach the security measures of a specific individual or organization. Usually the initial attack, conducted to gain access to a computer or network, is followed by a further exploit designed to cause harm or, more frequently, steal data.

Next Steps

Targeted attacks are often used in conjunction with advanced persistent threats (APT) in industrial espionage. Business disruption and making political statements are among the other purposes of such attacks. 

This was last updated in October 2012
Contributor(s): Ivy Wigmore
Posted by: Margaret Rouse

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Glossaries

  • Security threats and countermeasures

    - Terms related to security threats, including definitions about anti-virus programs or firewalls and words and phrases about malware, viruses, Trojans and other security attacks.

  • Network security

    - Terms related to network security, including definitions about intrusion prevention and words and phrases about VPNs and firewalls.

  • Malware

    - Terms related to malware, including definitions about viruses and Trojans and other words and phrases about malicious software.

Dig Deeper

  • Security School: Targeted attacks

    Learn how targeted attacks are developed, where your soft spots may be, how attackers are moving data off your networks and what you can do about it. (SearchSecurity.com)

  • McAfee: Attackers to target Apple in 2011

    In addition to smartphones and tablets, attackers will use geolocation services on many social networks and mobile applications to deploy more targeted social engineering attacks. ()

  • Video: Handling targeted attacks

    Richard Bejtlich covers factors that could make your organzation look lucrative to an attacker, strategies for detecting intruders and the basics of a targeted attack response plan. ()

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