3. Security Attacker

• Attacker in computer security is an adversary^(*) - a malicious entity whose aim is to

  • prevent the users from achieving their goal

  • break privacy rules

  • break integrity and availability of data.

  • attempt to discover secret data

  • corrupt some of the data in the system.

• Attacker may spoof legitimate user's identity, interfere with e-mail senders/receivers, and forcing system downtime.

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  • ^(*) One that opposes another in a battle, contest, controversy, or debate: enemy, antagonist, opponent, opposer, etc.