Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, defines cyber warfare as terrain that includes all aspects of the Internet from the backbones of the web, to the Internet Service Providers, to the varying types of data communication mediums and network equipment. The terrain also encompasses information systems like the electrical grids, telecommunication systems, and various corporate and military systems.
Using computer networks for espionage or data base sabotage is as important to warfare today as the advent of aircraft was to warfare in the 20th century. The ability to collect information and launch cyber-attacks gives countries, terrorist and criminals the capability to inflict serious damage that was once the province of large countries.
The Internet security company McAfee stated in their 2007 annual report that approximately 120 countries have been developing ways to use the Internet as a weapon and target Internet Service Providers, financial markets, government computer systems, utilities, etc
The U.S. has come under attack from computer networks in China and Russia. In December 2009, South Korean media reported that North Korean hackers may have stolen secret information from Operations Plan (OPlan) 5027, which is the U.S. and South Korea’s plan for defense of South Korea in the event of a North Korean invasion.
