passive attack

[/ˈpæsɪv əˈtæk/]
nounpl: passive attacks
ataque passivo
1. A cybersecurity threat in which an attacker monitors, intercepts, or observes data transmission without altering or modifying it, aiming to gather information or intelligence
The hacker conducted a passive attack to intercept unencrypted emails and steal sensitive information.
O hacker realizou um ataque passivo para interceptar e-mails não criptografados e roubar informações sensíveis.
2. In military context, an attack that relies on defensive or non-confrontational tactics, such as reconnaissance or surveillance, without direct engagement
The intelligence agency employed passive attack techniques to monitor the suspect's communications.
A agência de inteligência usou técnicas de ataque passivo para monitorar as comunicações do suspeito.
This term is primarily used in cybersecurity and information technology sectors in both Brazil and Portugal. It has become increasingly important in corporate and governmental security discussions, particularly following increased awareness of data breaches and cyber threats. The concept is central to understanding modern cybersecurity risks and is commonly taught in IT security courses and certifications.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
eavesdroppingwiretappingsniffingsurveillancereconnaissance attack
Antonyms / Antônimos
active attackaggressive attackdirect attack

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
ataque passivo
Standard term used in cybersecurity and IT security contexts
Portugal
ataque passivo
Same terminology used in Portuguese cybersecurity industry
Technical Communities
ataque passivo / ataque de escuta
Sometimes expanded to 'ataque de escuta' (listening attack) for clarity

Related Words

cybersecuritydata interceptionnetwork monitoringinformation gatheringencryptionactive attack

Related Idioms & Phrases

under the radar
fly under the radar
stealth reconnaissance
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