Explained: What is Cyber ​​War, how can this attack break the back of the enemy country?

Last week, the US and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran responded with a forceful retaliation. This ongoing conflict in the Middle East is no longer limited to bombing and destroying each other's military bases and bunkers. Cyberattacks are also being used to break each other's backbone. Let us explain what cyberwar is and how a country can break the backbone of its enemy.

What is Cyber ​​War?
Cyberwar is a digital war that can harm an enemy country without using bullets and missiles. The weapon is computer code, and the battlefield is the internet. Simply put, in cyberwar, one country can destroy another country's vital infrastructure without sending a single soldier.

An attacking country primarily attacks its enemy country on these four fronts:

Attack on the Power Grid
Hacking a country's power grid can plunge an entire country into darkness. Without electricity, communications, hospitals, and factories would all shut down, potentially crippling the country's economy. For example, in 2015, Ukraine's power grid was hit by a cyberattack, leaving thousands without electricity for several hours.

Attack on the Economic System
An attacking country can cause financial damage by hacking an enemy's banking services, stock exchanges, and payment systems. If people lose control of their own money, this could lead to a civil war-like situation, damaging the country's GDP and investor confidence. This could also be called a financial collapse.

Damage from Hacking Military Communications
Through cyber warfare, an attacking country can cause damage to an enemy's missile defense system (such as Israel's Iron Dome). Jamming communication channels, radar systems, and satellites can cripple an enemy nation. This can also be called military disruption. Government websites and data centers can also be damaged.

Misinformation and Propaganda
Creating an atmosphere of fear among people by spreading fake news through social media is also part of cyber warfare. For example, during the war between the US, Israel, and Iran, record-breaking traffic was seen on Twitter. This can also be called information warfare.

Future Challenge: Use of AI in Cyber ​​Attacks
Cyberattacks using AI pose a major cybersecurity threat. Hacking used to require considerable time and effort, but times have changed. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), attacks have become faster, smarter, and more dangerous.

The use of AI in cyber warfare means that in cyberattacks, any attacking country or hacker can now use artificial intelligence and machine learning to target any system, network, or person.

How does a country prepare to avoid cyberwarfare?
A robust cybersecurity system is developed, employing firewalls and advanced encryption systems. Networks are constantly monitored, and suspicious activity is immediately blocked. Furthermore, encryption and multi-factor authentication are implemented, and systems are regularly updated.

Furthermore, to prevent cyberwarfare, any country's government maintains a strong team of ethical hackers and cyber defense personnel. The special cyber defense team's job is to detect cyberattacks, prevent them, and respond with retaliatory action if necessary.

Banking system
Power grid
Telecom network
Railway and air traffic—damage to these systems could cripple a country. Therefore, a team is always deployed to protect these systems.

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