What is a Targeted Attack in Cybersecurity | Definition and Meaning

A targeted attack is a type of malicious cyber activity that is specifically designed to target a single entity or small group of entities. This is distinct from a trawling attack, which affects all users indiscriminately. A common example of a trawling attack is en-masse password cracking, in which a malicious actor attempts to gain access to multiple accounts by trying a large set of passwords. By contrast, a targeted attack is carefully planned and executed against a single entity or group, often with the goal of gathering confidential information or disrupting operations.