What is "Spoofing" in cybersecurity?

"Spoofing" in cybersecurity specifically refers to the act of assuming the identity of another user or device. This can be done to gain unauthorized access to systems, manipulate data, or trick users into believing they are interacting with a trusted entity. For example, an attacker may spoof an IP address to make it appear as if they are a legitimate device within a network, or they might send emails that look like they are from a trusted source in order to extract sensitive information from the recipient.

This understanding is key when assessing risks in industrial automation and control systems (IACS), as attackers often employ spoofing techniques to bypass security measures and gain insights into valuable data or networks. The ability to differentiate between legitimate and spoofed entities is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of IACS environments.

The other choices touch on different aspects of cybersecurity threats and behaviors but do not accurately define spoofing. Unauthorized access, malicious software creation, and data interception are significant threats but represent different attack vectors or strategies rather than the specific act of identity assumption that spoofing encompasses.