This book outlines the complexity in understanding different forms of cyber attacks, the actors involved, and their motivations. It explores the key challenges in investigating and prosecuting politically motivated cyber attacks, the lack of consistency within regulatory frameworks, and the grey zone that this creates, for cybercriminals to operate within. Connecting diverse literatures on cyberwarfare, cyberterrorism, and cyberprotests, and categorising the different actors involved – state-sponsored/supported groups, hacktivists, online protestors – this book compares the means and methods used in attacks, the various attackers, and the current strategies employed by cybersecurity agencies. It examines the current legislative framework and proposes ways in which it could be reconstructed, moving beyond the traditional and fragmented definitions used to manage offline violence. This book is an important contribution to the study of cyber attacks within the areas of criminology, criminal justice, law, and policy. It is a compelling reading for all those engaged in cybercrime, cybersecurity, and digital forensics.

Memetic War analyses memetic warfare included in cyber war and aims to develop a framework for understanding the parameters included in utilising this concept in Ukraine as a part of civic resistance. In the Ukrainian war, an informal defence tactic has developed to uphold the information flow about the war and to debunk Russia’s communications. The war has enhanced the visibility of governmental and civic activation by using the advantages of social media architecture, networks, and communication forms. The book investigates Ukraine’s public and private abilities to develop cyber capabilities to counter propaganda and dis-and-misinformation online as a defence mechanism. This book uses military ROC doctrine to understand government authorities, the armed forces, and civic engagement in the Ukrainian resistance. Memetic War will have relevance for scholars, researchers, and academics in the cybersecurity field, practitioners, governmental actors, and military and strategic personnel.

This book outlines the complexity in understanding different forms of cyber attacks, the actors involved, and their motivations. It explores the key challenges in investigating and prosecuting politically motivated cyber attacks, the lack of consistency within regulatory frameworks, and the grey zone that this creates, for cybercriminals to operate within. Connecting diverse literatures on cyberwarfare, cyberterrorism, and cyberprotests, and categorising the different actors involved - state-sponsored/supported groups, hacktivists, online protestors - this book compares the means and methods used in attacks, the various attackers, and the current strategies employed by cybersecurity agencies. It examines the current legislative framework and proposes ways in which it could be reconstructed, moving beyond the traditional and fragmented definitions used to manage offline violence. This book is an important contribution to the study of cyber attacks within the areas of criminology, criminal justice, law, and policy. It is a compelling reading for all those engaged in cybercrime, cybersecurity, and digital forensics.