[![Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/PANW_Parent.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/) [![Unit42 Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/unit42-logo-white.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) Menu * [Tools](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tools/) * [ATOMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/atoms/) * [Security Consulting](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [About Us](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/about-unit-42/) * [**Under Attack?**](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/contact-unit42.html) * [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/ "Threat Research") * [Cybercrime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cybercrime/ "Cybercrime") [Cybercrime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cybercrime/) # How Well Do You Understand Your Cyber Adversary? -- Part 3 ![Clock Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-clock.svg) 3 min read * ![Profile Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-profile-grey.svg) By: * ![Published Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-calendar-grey.svg) Published:May 21, 2014 * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-category.svg) Categories: * [Cybercrime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/cybercrime/) * [Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) * ![Tags Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-tags-grey.svg) Tags: * [Cyber crime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-crime/) * [Cyber espionage](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-espionage/) * [Cyber spy](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-spy/) * [Cyber terrorism](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-terrorism/) * [Cyber warfare](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-warfare/) * [Hacktivism](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hacktivism/) * [Hacktivist](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hacktivist/) * [Kill Chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/kill-chain/) * [![Download Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-download.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/well-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=0e33cfdd78 "Click here to download") * [![Print Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-print.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/well-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3/?pdf=print&lg=en&_wpnonce=0e33cfdd78 "Click here to print") Share![Down arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/down-arrow.svg) * ![Link Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-share-link.svg) * [![Link Email](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-sms.svg)](mailto:?subject=How%20Well%20Do%20You%20Understand%20Your%20Cyber%20Adversary?%20–%20Part%203&body=Check%20out%20this%20article%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F "Share in email") * [![Facebook Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-fb-share.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F "Share in Facebook") * [![LinkedIn Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-linkedin-share.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F&title=How%20Well%20Do%20You%20Understand%20Your%20Cyber%20Adversary?%20–%20Part%203 "Share in LinkedIn") * [![Twitter Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-twitter-share.svg)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F&text=How%20Well%20Do%20You%20Understand%20Your%20Cyber%20Adversary?%20–%20Part%203 "Share in Twitter") * [![Reddit Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-reddit-share.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F&ts=markdown "Share in Reddit") * [![Mastodon Icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-mastodon-share.svg)](https://mastodon.social/share?text=How%20Well%20Do%20You%20Understand%20Your%20Cyber%20Adversary?%20–%20Part%203%20https%3A%2F%2Funit42.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fwell-understand-cyber-adversary-part-3%2F "Share in Mastodon") ![PAN-blue-2](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/PAN-blue-2.jpg) This is the third and final installment of my blog series differentiating the various kinds of cyber adversaries who are looking to gain access to enterprise and government networks. Follow these links to get to [Part 1](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2014/05/how-well-do-you-understand-your-cyber-adversary-part-1/) and [Part 2](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2014/05/well-understand-cyber-adversary-part-2/). ### Cyber Terrorism Cyber terrorists use the Internet as a weapon as they pursue their agenda. In a way, they are an extreme form of a hacktivist. The curious thing is that we have not really seen a cyber terrorist event. The press and pundits have labeled some hacktivist activities as terrorism, but as far as I know, we have yet to see a cyber terrorist hack that causes people to fear for their safety or caused physical injury or death. Cyber terrorism is not just a little bit to the right of extreme hacktivism, it is far to the right of extreme hacktivism. But the reason I put this into a category by itself and not just lump in into the hacktivism category, is that cyber terrorism is the boogeyman that a lot of us cybersecurity community pundits use to push the fear, uncertainty and doubt agenda. One way the commercial space can sell cybersecurity wares is to scare people into thinking that they need the solution. One way for government officials to get resources for their pet projects is to frighten Congress about all sorts of scary contingencies. I am not saying that there is not danger out there. We all have our favorite doomsday cyber terrorism scenarios and some are quite possible. It is just that we have not seen any to date that have manifested in the world. If you would like to read a page-turner story about a classic cyber terrorism scenario (attacking the power grid), read Richard Clarke's [*Breakpoint*](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2014/01/cybersecurity-canon-breakpoint/). ### Cyber Warfare Out of all the motivational categories I've discussed, cyber warfare is the hardest to define. Military officials and government lawyers have been trying to define it for over a decade and nobody can agree. It's like the obscenity debate the US had in the 1970s: "We do not know how to define it, but we know it when we see it." I have read a lot of the literature on cyber warfare and this is the best definition I could cobble together: cyber warfare involves one or more nation states using cyber weapons to destroy each other's national treasures to achieve a political purpose. This narrow definition is important as it specifically deals with attacks on Internet systems with the intent of causing death and/or destruction by a nation state. Criminals cannot conduct cyber warfare, and neither can hacktivists, terrorists or spies. The confusing part is that a lot of what a nation's cyber warfare defense teams do to protect against cyber warfare (recon and staging) looks like cyber espionage. The lines between cyber espionage and cyber warfare can be blurry. Old cybersecurity community pundits like me have pointed to the [cyber attacks against Estonia and Georgia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyberattacks_during_the_Russo-Georgian_war) as examples of cyber warfare. But even these don't really match my cyber warfare definition as they were just proof of concept attacks demonstrating what might be possible. It wasn't until the [Stuxnet attack in 2010](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuxnet) that an act of cyber warfare occurred that meets my definition. For a better understanding of the policy issues surrounding the US use of cyber weapons against Iran, read David Sanger's [*Confront and Conceal*](https://blog.paloaltonetworks.com/2014/01/cybersecurity-canon-confront-conceal/). ### Ankle Biters This is a catch-all category designed to label hacking activity that doesn't neatly fit into my previous categories. Typical examples of this are new hackers or hacker wannabes practicing their craft. They're not trying to steal anything, spy on anybody or support a cause. They are just experimenting with the tools of the trade to see what works and what doesn't. They can cause damage but it's usually unintentional. From hacktivists to cyber warfare, the point of all of this discussion is that the cybersecurity community has to be more precise when we talk about adversaries. If we can't do it, how can we expect the press and the layman to? Have anything to add? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think. Back to top ### Tags * [Cyber crime](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-crime/ "cyber crime") * [Cyber espionage](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-espionage/ "cyber espionage") * [Cyber spy](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-spy/ "cyber spy") * [Cyber terrorism](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-terrorism/ "cyber terrorism") * [Cyber warfare](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cyber-warfare/ "cyber warfare") * [Hacktivism](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hacktivism/ "hacktivism") * [Hacktivist](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/hacktivist/ "hacktivist") * [Kill Chain](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/kill-chain/ "Kill Chain") [Threat Research Center](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com "Threat Research") [Next: The Latest Kuluoz Spam Campaign Kicks Off](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/latest-kuluoz-spam-campaign-kicks/ "The Latest Kuluoz Spam Campaign Kicks Off") ### Related Articles * [Threat Brief: Escalation of Cyber Risk Related to Iran (Updated April 17)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/iranian-cyberattacks-2026/ "article - table of contents") * [Insights: Increased Risk of Wiper Attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/handala-hack-wiper-attacks/ "article - table of contents") * [Highlights from the 2021 Unit 42 Ransomware Threat Report](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/ransomware-threat-report-highlights/ "article - table of contents") ## Related Cybercrime Resources ![Pictorial representation of Russian global webmail espionage campaign. A digital illustration of a world map in a network style, highlighting continents with glowing lines and connectivity points in a red and blue theme.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/06_Nation-State-cyberattacks_1920x900-1-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) July 23, 2026 [#### Russian Global Webmail Espionage](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-webmail-espionage/) * [CL-STA-1114](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-sta-1114/ "CL-STA-1114") * [JavaScript](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/javascript/ "JavaScript") * [Javascript injection](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/javascript-injection/ "javascript injection") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-webmail-espionage/ "Russian Global Webmail Espionage") ![Pictorial representation of a woman standing in a server room holding a laptop that projects a digital code overlay.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/06_Security-Technology_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) May 28, 2026 [#### 2026 World Cup: Discussing The World's Biggest Game's Attack Surface](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fifa-world-cup-attack-surface/) * [Fiddling Scorpius](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fiddling-scorpius/ "Fiddling Scorpius") * [Fighting Ursa](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/fighting-ursa/ "Fighting Ursa") * [Muddled Libra](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/muddled-libra/ "Muddled Libra") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/fifa-world-cup-attack-surface/ "2026 World Cup: Discussing The World’s Biggest Game’s Attack Surface") ![Pictoral representation of a man holding a cellphone with a bokeh skyline in the background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/05_Listicle_Category_1505x922-718x440.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) May 27, 2026 [#### Out of the Crypt: The Evolving Cyber Extortion Economy](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cyber-extortion-economy/) * [Bling Libra](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bling-libra/ "Bling Libra") * [Extortion](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/extortion/ "Extortion") * [Frontier AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/frontier-ai/ "Frontier AI") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/cyber-extortion-economy/ "Out of the Crypt: The Evolving Cyber Extortion Economy") ![Pictorial representation of the APT Boggy Serpens. An illustrated blue snake is highlighted by a red circle against a night sky. The constellation serpens.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Boggy-Serpens-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) March 16, 2026 [#### Boggy Serpens Threat Assessment](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/boggy-serpens-threat-assessment/) * [Advanced Persistent Threat](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/advanced-persistent-threat/ "Advanced Persistent Threat") * [Boggy Serpens](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/boggy-serpens/ "Boggy Serpens") * [C2](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/c2/ "C2") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/boggy-serpens-threat-assessment/ "Boggy Serpens Threat Assessment") ![Pictorial representation of Muddled Libra, aka Scattered Spider. A vibrant illustration of the Libra zodiac sign, featuring a stylized balance scale overlaid with a prominent Libra symbol. The background is a starry night sky with shades of purple and blue, suggesting a cosmic theme.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/03-1-Muddle-Libra-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/threat-actor-groups.svg)Threat Actor Groups](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-actor-groups/) February 10, 2026 [#### A Peek Into Muddled Libra's Operational Playbook](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/muddled-libra-ops-playbook/) * [Muddled Libra](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/muddled-libra/ "Muddled Libra") * [PowerShell](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/powershell/ "PowerShell") * [Scattered Spider](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/scattered-spider/ "Scattered Spider") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/muddled-libra-ops-playbook/ "A Peek Into Muddled Libra’s Operational Playbook") ![Pictorial representation of a group of individuals discussing an idea with a whiteboard.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/02_Listicle_Overview_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) February 3, 2026 [#### Why Smart People Fall For Phishing Attacks](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/psychology-of-phishing/) * [AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai/ "AI") * [Phishing](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/phishing/ "phishing") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/psychology-of-phishing/ "Why Smart People Fall For Phishing Attacks") ![Pictorial representation of threat groups from Russia. The silhouette of a bear and the Ursa constellation inside an orange abstract planet. Abstract, stylized cosmic setting with vibrant blue and purple shapes, representing space and distant planetary bodies.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Ursa-Russia-B-1920x900-1-786x368.png) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Insights-icon-white.svg)Insights](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/insights/) January 29, 2026 [#### Understanding the Russian Cyberthreat to the 2026 Winter Olympics](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-cyberthreat-2026-winter-olympics/) * [AI](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/ai/ "AI") * [IoT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/iot/ "IoT") * [Russia](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/russia/ "Russia") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/russian-cyberthreat-2026-winter-olympics/ "Understanding the Russian Cyberthreat to the 2026 Winter Olympics") ![Pictorial representation of 01flip ransomware written in Rust. Digital artwork of a pixelated U.S. dollar bill disintegrating into small blocks against a blue data matrix background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/05_Ransomware_Category_1920x900-786x368.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) December 10, 2025 [#### 01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/) * [Bitcoin](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/bitcoin/ "Bitcoin") * [CL-CRI-103](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cl-cri-103/ "CL-CRI-103") * [Cryptocurrency](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/cryptocurrency/ "Cryptocurrency") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/new-ransomware-01flip-written-in-rust/ "01flip: Multi-Platform Ransomware Written in Rust") ![Pictorial representation of malicious LLMs. Close-up view of a digital wall displaying various glowing icons, representing a high-tech network interface.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/AdobeStock_1270203474-786x440.jpeg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) November 25, 2025 [#### The Dual-Use Dilemma of AI: Malicious LLMs](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dilemma-of-ai-malicious-llms/) * [Credential Harvesting](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/credential-harvesting/ "Credential Harvesting") * [Data exfiltration](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/data-exfiltration/ "data exfiltration") * [LLM](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/llm/ "LLM") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/dilemma-of-ai-malicious-llms/ "The Dual-Use Dilemma of AI: Malicious LLMs") ![Pictorial representation of Gh0st RAT malware. A woman analyzes code on a computer screen in an office setting, with another individual working in the background.](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/04_Security-Technology_Category_1505x922-718x440.jpg) [![category icon](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/icon-threat-research.svg)Threat Research](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/category/threat-research/) November 14, 2025 [#### Digital Doppelgangers: Anatomy of Evolving Impersonation Campaigns Distributing Gh0st RAT](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/impersonation-campaigns-deliver-gh0st-rat/) * [DLL Sideloading](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/dll-sideloading/ "DLL Sideloading") * [Gh0st Rat](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/gh0st-rat/ "Gh0st Rat") * [PDNS](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/tag/pdns/ "PDNS") [Read now ![Right arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-right-arrow-withtail.svg)](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/impersonation-campaigns-deliver-gh0st-rat/ "Digital Doppelgangers: Anatomy of Evolving Impersonation Campaigns Distributing Gh0st RAT") * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) * ![Slider arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/slider-arrow-left.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ![Enlarged Image]() ![Newsletter](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/unit42-footer-subscribe-desktop.png) ![UNIT 42 Small Logo](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/palo-alto-logo-small.svg) Get updates from Unit 42 ## Peace of mind comes from staying ahead of threats. Subscribe today. Your Email Subscribe for email updates to all Unit 42 threat research. By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use "Terms of Use") and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement.](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy "Privacy Statement") This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. Invalid captcha! Subscribe ![Right Arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/right-arrow.svg) ![loader](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-loader.svg) {#footer} Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security/prisma-airs) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/ot-security-solution) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam) * [Next-Generation Identity Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira) * [Privileged Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/privileged-access-management) * [Identity and Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-and-access-management) * [Endpoint Privilege Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/endpoint-privilege-manager) * [Identity Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-governance) * [Workforce Password Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/workforce-password-management) * [Agentic Identities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/agentic) * [Secrets Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/secrets-management) * [Unified Secrets Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/unified-secrets-governance) * [Application Credentials Delivery](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/application-credentials-delivery) * [Vendor Privileged Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/vendor-privileged-access) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42) * [Prepare for Emerging Risks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/frontier-ai-defense) * [Strengthen Your Defenses](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/strengthen-your-defenses) * [Build Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/build-your-security-strategy) * [Understand the Adversary](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence) * [Respond to a Cyber Attack](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond) Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom) Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/certifications) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![Palo Alto Networks Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * EN Select your language ![Play](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-play-icon.svg) ![Pause](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-pause-icon1.svg) ![Minimize](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-minimize.svg) ![Close button](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/close-modal.svg) ### Default Heading Read the article ![Right Arrow](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/right-arrow.svg) Seekbar ![Play](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-play-icon.svg) ![Pause](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/player-pause-icon1.svg) ![Volume](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-volume.svg) Volume ![Minimize](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/wp-content/themes/unit42-v6/dist/images/icons/icon-minimize.svg)