Which statement best defines cyberterrorism?

• A. The use of computer and networking technologies to cause great harm or damage against persons or property to intimidate or coerce governments, individuals, or any segment of society to attain political, religious, or ideological goals.
• B. A routine software update that fixes bugs.
• C. The use of computer technology to conduct robbery for profit.
• D. A type of regular cyber defense exercise.

Answer: (C)

Cyberterrorism centers on using computer and networking technologies to intimidate or coerce governments, individuals, or segments of society in order to advance political, religious, or ideological goals, often through harm or disruption. This emphasis on fear, coercion, and a broader societal or governmental objective distinguishes it from other cyber activities. The statement that best captures this describes harming people or property to pressure authorities or society to reach political or ideological aims.

By comparison, using computer tech to conduct robbery for profit describes cybercrime focused on financial gain, not terror or ideological aims. A routine software update is a harmless maintenance task, and a regular cyber defense exercise is a training activity.