SCARS Institute Encyclopedia of Scams™

419 Scam — A 419 scam promises access to a substantial sum of money in exchange for advance payments or financial assistance. The criminal invents expenses involving transfers, documents, taxes, or official approvals. The name refers to a provision of Nigeria’s criminal code, while offenders operating this type of scheme are not limited to Nigeria. – Advance-Fee Scam www.aarp.org

Added October 7, 2026

Abandonment of Healthcare — Abandonment of healthcare is a sustained withdrawal from medical attention needed to protect health. It includes missed appointments, untreated symptoms, and failure to seek help when care is no longer effective. Assessment identifies whether symptoms, practical barriers, or deliberate rejection explain the withdrawal. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment of Home Maintenance — Abandonment of home maintenance involves leaving necessary repairs and upkeep undone while living conditions deteriorate. The concern is the preservation of a usable and safe home rather than perfect housekeeping. Assistance addresses essential needs while examining the reasons maintenance stopped. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment of Personal Hygiene — Abandonment of personal hygiene is a continuing reduction in basic bodily and clothing care. Bathing, tooth brushing, laundry, and changing bedding fall away. The pattern requires attention to functioning and beliefs about care rather than an assumption that the person simply lacks discipline. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Abandonment-related trauma — Abandonment-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with severe or threatening loss of expected care or protection. Developmental dependence and the circumstances of abandonment shape its meaning. The phrase distinguishes profound injury from ordinary disappointment or separation. — Attachment context.

Added October 5, 2026

Access Broker — An access broker obtains and sells access to compromised accounts or systems. Buyers use that access to pursue their own objectives. The broker separates the initial compromise from later fraud, espionage, or extortion. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Access Broker — An access broker obtains access to digital accounts or systems and transfers it to another party. Criminal brokers sell unauthorized access through private contacts or marketplaces. Buyers use that access for theft, surveillance, extortion, or further intrusion. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Access Control — Access control determines who or what receives permission to use a resource. Systems enforce these permissions through rules, roles, and identity checks. Effective access control limits exposure of information and prevents unauthorized actions. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Access Control List — An access control list specifies which users or systems have permission to access a resource. Each entry identifies an identity and its permitted actions. Administrators use these lists to enforce restrictions on files, networks, and applications. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Access to Care — Access to care means the practical ability to obtain appropriate medical or mental health assistance. Cost, transportation, appointment arrangements, and symptoms affect whether that assistance is reachable. Restoring access requires addressing the specific obstacle rather than repeating instructions to seek help. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Access-as-a-Service — Access-as-a-service offers unauthorized access to systems as a commercial criminal product. Providers advertise available targets and access privileges. Customers purchase entry rather than conducting the initial intrusion themselves. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Access-as-a-Service — Access-as-a-service offers unauthorized entry to accounts or systems as a commercial criminal product. Sellers provide credentials, sessions, or other access mechanisms. The arrangement allows buyers to begin an attack without conducting the original compromise themselves. – Cybercriminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Accessibility accommodations — Accessibility accommodations are adjustments that help a victim participate in the reporting process. These adjustments address needs that affect communication or access to the agency’s services. The victim asks what assistance is available before or during the reporting conversation. — Reporting Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Account access — Account access is the ability to enter or use an account and its associated information or services. Requests involving passwords, account codes, or financial access deserve careful examination. A survivor protects access by withholding sensitive information from an unverified person and contacting the relevant institution independently. — Digital Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Account compromise — Account compromise occurs when an unauthorized person gains access to an account or interferes with its security. Suspected compromise requires prompt contact with the relevant institution through an established route. Instructions from a questionable caller do not establish the correct protective response. — Digital Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Account Discovery — Account discovery identifies user accounts and their relevant characteristics within a system or organization. Attackers examine identities, roles, and relationships to understand available opportunities. Authorized investigators perform similar discovery during security assessments. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Account Discovery — Account discovery identifies user accounts within a system, application, or organization. Attackers examine available account information to understand identities and privileges. The findings help them select targets and plan further activity. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Account Lockout — Account lockout temporarily or permanently blocks access after specified conditions occur, such as repeated failed login attempts. The restriction interrupts automated password guessing. Poorly configured lockouts also allow attackers to disrupt legitimate users by deliberately triggering the limit. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Account Manipulation — Account manipulation changes an account’s settings, permissions, credentials, or associated authentication methods. Attackers use these changes to strengthen control or preserve access. Unauthorized modifications also interfere with the legitimate owner’s ability to recover the account. – Account Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Account Manipulation — Account manipulation changes account properties to support unauthorized activity. Attackers alter permissions, recovery settings, group memberships, or authentication arrangements. These changes help them retain access or expand control over resources. – Account Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Account suspension — Account suspension restricts a member’s access or activity without necessarily deleting the account permanently. Its effects depend on the platform’s rules and technical settings. A suspension based on the qualifying risk of financial fraud falls within the notification framework described by the Romance Scam Prevention Act. — Platform Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Account Suspension Scam — An account suspension scam threatens loss of access unless the target acts immediately. The criminal invents policy violations or failed verification. A deceptive appeal or restoration process collects money or login credentials. – Credential Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Account Takeover — Account takeover occurs when an attacker gains control of another person’s account. Attackers obtain access through stolen credentials, phishing, malware, or weaknesses in recovery procedures. They then impersonate the account owner, steal information, or conduct fraudulent transactions. – Account Security

Added October 7, 2026

Account Trading — Account trading involves buying, selling, or exchanging digital accounts. Criminal trading commonly includes stolen identities, compromised profiles, and accounts prepared for deceptive activity. The account’s history and apparent legitimacy influence its value. – Criminal Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Account Trading — Account trading involves buying, selling, or exchanging digital accounts. Criminal markets offer stolen, compromised, or fraudulently created accounts for different purposes. Buyers exploit their access, history, reputation, or established relationships. – Underground Commerce

Added October 7, 2026

Accountability — Accountability means that campaign organizers and platforms can be required to explain their actions and answer for misconduct. It includes explaining how funds were handled and responding to credible complaints. Clear records help donors, investigators, and regulators assess whether promises were kept. — Consumer Protection

Added September 30, 2026

Accountability — Accountability involves recognizing responsibility for specific actions and addressing their consequences. Criminals remain responsible for the crime, while survivors receive support in making protective decisions afterward. Supporters encourage useful action without blaming survivors for the deception or attacking their character. — Support Principles

Added October 16, 2026

Accumulating Health Risks — Accumulating health risks are dangers that increase as necessary care and protective activities remain neglected. Untreated symptoms and unsafe living conditions add concerns over time. Their seriousness does not depend solely on whether the survivor expresses an intention to die. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Achievable Starting Point — An achievable starting point is the smallest practical action that begins a necessary task. Locating one document provides a clearer beginning than attempting an entire application. The step matches the survivor’s present capacity while creating a path toward further work. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Acknowledgment of loss — Acknowledgment of loss means recognizing what the survivor believed the relationship provided and what its ending took away. The loss includes companionship, trust, plans, or an expected future. This recognition gives grief a place without treating the criminal’s promises as truthful. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Acting at the Peak of Emotion — Acting at the peak of emotion means making a decision while a feeling is especially intense. Urgency then leaves little room for clarification or reflection. A survivor benefits from recognizing this timing and delaying nonurgent decisions until perspective improves. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Action Consequences — Action consequences are the results that follow a decision or behavior. An impulsive reply creates additional messages, while a hurried commitment creates an obligation. Considering these results helps distinguish immediate emotional relief from a response that supports longer-term stability. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Action urge — An action urge is the felt impulse to do something in response to an emotion. Fear, loneliness, or hope sometimes accompanies an urge to reply, agree, or send money immediately. Recognizing the urge separately from the emotion creates an opportunity to choose a response. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Active Directory — Active Directory is Microsoft’s directory technology for organizing identities, computers, and access within an organization. Its services support centralized authentication and policy administration. Attackers frequently target privileged directory accounts because those accounts provide extensive control over connected resources. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Active Scanning — Active scanning sends requests or probes to a target to gather technical information. Responses reveal accessible systems, services, or configurations. Attackers use the findings for reconnaissance, while authorized professionals use scanning to assess exposure. – Reconnaissance Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Active Scanning — Active scanning sends probes to systems or networks to identify accessible resources and behavior. Attackers use responses to learn about services and potential weaknesses. Authorized security professionals also use scanning within an agreed scope. – Reconnaissance Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Acute trauma — Acute trauma describes trauma associated with a single overwhelming event or a brief period of exposure. Examples include an assault, a disaster, or witnessing a killing. The word acute describes the exposure pattern rather than predicting how long its effects last. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Acute trauma response — Acute trauma response refers to immediate or early reactions following a traumatic experience. Distress, confusion, heightened arousal, or detachment are relevant examples. It differs from a formal diagnosis of acute stress disorder. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Address Resolution Protocol Poisoning — Address Resolution Protocol poisoning introduces false address relationships into a local network’s ARP process. Affected devices direct communications according to the incorrect information. Attackers exploit this redirection to intercept traffic or disrupt connections. – Network Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Address Resolution Protocol Poisoning — Address Resolution Protocol poisoning introduces false address mappings into a local network. Devices then send selected traffic toward an attacker-controlled location. The interference supports interception, redirection, or disruption of communications. – Network Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Adolescent trauma — Adolescent trauma refers to trauma experienced during the transition between childhood and adulthood. It intersects with identity development, peer relationships, growing independence, and emotional maturation. Its effects are shaped by both the harmful experience and the adolescent's developmental circumstances. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Adult trauma — Adult trauma refers to psychological trauma first experienced or newly encountered during adulthood. Relevant contexts include violence, exploitation, disasters, and severe interpersonal betrayal. Adult status does not eliminate vulnerability to overwhelming experiences or their lasting effects. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Advance Fees — Advance fees are payments requested before a promised service or transaction is completed. In timeshare fraud, criminals describe these payments as necessary to arrange a sale or meet supposed requirements. The victim pays before receiving the promised sale proceeds. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Advance-Fee Scam — An advance-fee scam requires an initial payment to obtain a promised benefit. The criminal presents the fee as a necessary step toward money, services, or access. The benefit never arrives as represented, and further charges frequently follow. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Advanced Encryption Standard — The Advanced Encryption Standard, or AES, is a symmetric encryption algorithm that protects information with a shared secret key. It supports several key lengths and operates on fixed-size data blocks. Secure implementations also require appropriate operating modes and careful key management. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Advanced Persistent Threat — An advanced persistent threat involves a capable adversary conducting sustained, targeted activity against an organization. The adversary establishes access, maintains a presence, and pursues objectives over time. Such operations commonly seek intelligence, sensitive information, or strategic disruption. – Threat Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Adversary-in-the-Middle Attack — An adversary-in-the-middle attack places an attacker between communicating parties to intercept or manipulate their exchange. The attacker exploits weaknesses in connection security, routing, or identity verification. Strong authentication and correctly implemented encryption help prevent this interference. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Adware — Adware displays advertising through installed software or browser activity. Some versions collect browsing information, change settings, or introduce unwanted content without meaningful consent. Its security significance depends on its behavior, permissions, and methods of installation. – Unwanted Software

Added October 7, 2026

Affective Dissonance — Affective dissonance describes a conflict between emotional responses or between feelings and an expected emotional state. A scam survivor experiences this conflict when affection for the fabricated persona persists alongside anger toward the criminal. The term describes an emotional mismatch and overlaps with emotional dissonance rather than identifying a separate diagnosis. — Emotional Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Affiliate Operator — An affiliate operator conducts criminal activity through another group’s tools, infrastructure, or business arrangement. Affiliates commonly share proceeds with the service’s organizers. This relationship allows criminal operations to expand without one organization performing every task. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Affiliate Operator — An affiliate operator participates in a criminal program that supplies infrastructure or tools. The affiliate conducts attacks and shares proceeds with the program’s organizers. Ransomware operations frequently use this division of responsibilities. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Affinity Investment Scam — An affinity investment scam exploits trust within a religious, ethnic, professional, or other identifiable community. The promoter uses shared identity and respected connections to gain credibility. That trust discourages independent scrutiny of the investment. – Investment Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Aftermath — The aftermath is the period following the main financial exploitation, when discovery, separation, and further criminal approaches unfold. Scammers sometimes return with new identities, romantic claims, or offers to recover money. Survivors benefit from recognizing that the end of payments does not automatically end criminal targeting. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Agency — Agency is a person’s ability to make choices and take purposeful action. Scam victim support strengthens agency by involving survivors in decisions about goals, activities, and practical steps. Growing independence demonstrates that assistance supports the survivor’s judgment rather than replacing it. — Recovery Processes

Added October 16, 2026

Aggregate Ownership — Aggregate ownership means the combined ownership interests held by multiple parties. Under OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule, ownership by blocked persons is added together when determining whether an entity meets the blocking threshold. Two blocked owners holding 25 percent each reach that threshold collectively. — Financial Sanctions ofac.treasury.gov

Added October 11, 2026

AI chatbot romance scam — An AI chatbot romance scam involves using simulated romantic connection and emotional attachment to pressure a person into continued spending. The relationship becomes a means of obtaining payment through subscriptions, credits, or paid features. The term describes an exploitative practice without establishing that every paid companion service commits criminal fraud. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

AI companion — An AI companion is a software-based conversational service that presents itself as a source of friendship, support, or romantic attention. Its responses create an experience of ongoing personal interaction. A person’s feelings toward the companion remain real even though the service does not demonstrate reciprocal emotional investment. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

AI-Generated Profiles — AI-generated profiles are online identities that use artificial intelligence to create photographs, descriptions, or other personal details. Criminals use these materials to present a convincing person who does not exist as described. Realistic appearance alone does not establish that a profile represents an authentic individual. — Digital Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Airline Customer Service Scam — An airline customer service scam impersonates staff helping with bookings or cancellations. The criminal appears through deceptive search results, calls, or messages. Travelers pay fabricated charges or disclose information that enables further theft. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Airline Refund Scam — An airline refund scam falsely offers assistance obtaining reimbursement for a booking. The criminal requests processing payments, card information, or account access. The supposed refund process steals additional money or information. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Airport Taxi Scam — An airport taxi scam misrepresents authorization, fares, or transportation arrangements. The operator exploits unfamiliarity and travel fatigue. Passengers pay inflated or fabricated charges under conditions different from the advertised agreement. – Transportation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Alcohol-free ceremony — An alcohol-free ceremony uses water or another nonalcoholic drink during the farewell. The ritual derives its meaning from the survivor’s intention, words, and chosen action. Alcohol holds no required role in acknowledging the loss or marking the ending. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Alias — An alias is a name someone uses instead of a confirmed legal identity. A criminal uses an alias to support the identity presented during the scam. The victim records it as a name used by the account rather than treating it as verified identification. — Identity Information

Added October 18, 2026

Allowlist — An allowlist identifies items that a system explicitly permits, such as approved applications, addresses, or users. The system restricts items outside that list according to its configuration. This approach reduces exposure but requires maintenance as legitimate requirements change. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Alternative symbolic object — An alternative symbolic object represents the relationship without requiring the survivor to handle a photograph. Examples include a folded sheet bearing the presented name, a description of promises, or an empty envelope. The survivor selects an object that communicates the intended meaning without recreating the entire experience. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Amazon Impersonation Scam — An Amazon impersonation scam uses false messages or calls concerning supposed purchases, account restrictions, or refunds. The criminal requests payments or security information. Familiar branding and invented order details support the impersonation. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Amplitude Amplification — Amplitude amplification increases the probability of obtaining desired results from a quantum computation. It uses repeated operations that strengthen selected probability amplitudes while reducing others. Grover’s search algorithm applies this technique to unstructured search problems. – Quantum Algorithms

Added October 7, 2026

Ancilla Qubit — An ancilla qubit is an additional qubit that assists a computation without holding its main result. It supports tasks such as recording intermediate information and detecting errors. Appropriate preparation and management prevent the ancilla from introducing unwanted effects. – Quantum Circuit Components

Added October 7, 2026

Animal Rescue Donation Scam — An animal rescue donation scam solicits funds through false rescue, treatment, or shelter claims. The operator uses stolen photographs and invented emergencies. Contributions do not support the animals or services described. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Anniversaries — Anniversaries are dates associated with the relationship, its promises, or the discovery of the crime. Holidays, birthdays, and other meaningful occasions bring renewed awareness of what the survivor lost. Their emotional significance deserves recognition rather than interpretation as proof that recovery has failed. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 15, 2026

Anniversary preparation — Anniversary preparation involves arranging support and practical plans before a difficult date arrives. The survivor identifies the occasion’s meaning and considers which routines or contacts will help maintain stability. Preparation gives anticipated distress a response instead of leaving the person to face it without support. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Annotation — An annotation is a note or mark added to a document to explain or highlight information. Annotations help identify important requests, dates, or payment instructions within working copies. The victim keeps original material intact and adds these explanations to separate copies. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Anomaly Detection — Anomaly detection identifies activity that differs from an established pattern or expected behavior. Security systems examine unusual logins, transfers, or processes for signs of trouble. An anomaly signals a need for investigation rather than proving that an attack occurred. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Ansatz — An ansatz is a proposed mathematical form or adjustable quantum circuit that represents candidate solutions. Researchers vary its parameters to improve a measured objective. Its design influences computational requirements and the quality of the results. – Variational Methods

Added October 7, 2026

Anticipated future — An anticipated future consists of the plans and possibilities the survivor expected from the relationship. Its loss remains emotionally significant even when deceptive promises created those expectations. Naming that future helps the survivor identify what the farewell represents. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Anticipated pain — Anticipated pain is distress expected before a feared event occurs. A survivor rehearses rejection, failure, or betrayal and experiences emotional strain while waiting. This expectation does not prevent the event and deserves examination when it discourages preparation, participation, or necessary care. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Anticipated Reunion — Anticipated reunion is the expected future meeting or shared life promised within a deceptive relationship. The expectation gives the victim a direction and something to await. Its emotional importance does not establish that the promised meeting or relationship is genuine. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Antimalware — Antimalware detects, blocks, or removes malicious software. It uses methods such as known signatures, behavioral analysis, and reputation checks. Its effectiveness depends on current intelligence, sound configuration, and additional security controls that address threats beyond malicious files. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Antivirus — Antivirus software detects and addresses computer viruses and other forms of malware. Modern products often examine files, processes, and behavior rather than relying solely on known signatures. Antivirus contributes to protection but does not eliminate every security threat. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Antivirus Renewal Scam — An antivirus renewal scam sends a false notice about an upcoming or completed security subscription charge. The criminal provides a fraudulent cancellation or refund channel. The response exposes the target to remote-access manipulation or payment theft. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

API Abuse — API abuse misuses an application programming interface to obtain unauthorized information or perform harmful actions. Attackers exploit excessive permissions, weak restrictions, or unintended workflows. The activity sometimes uses technically valid requests for prohibited purposes. – Application Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

API Abuse — API abuse misuses an application programming interface beyond its intended or authorized purpose. Attackers exploit weak permissions, excessive requests, or exposed functions. The activity leads to information exposure, unauthorized actions, or service disruption. – Application Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

API Scraping — API scraping systematically collects information through an application programming interface. Unauthorized operators gather data beyond permitted purposes or limits. The collected information supports profiling, resale, imitation, or preparation for further attacks. – Data Collection

Added October 7, 2026

API Scraping — API scraping systematically collects information through an application programming interface. Abuse occurs when collection violates authorization or exploits inadequate restrictions. Criminals use the resulting data for profiling, resale, impersonation, or targeted attacks. – Data Collection

Added October 7, 2026

App Optimization Scam — An app optimization scam promises earnings for supposedly improving application rankings or performance. The platform presents repetitive tasks and artificial commissions. Required deposits and impossible withdrawal conditions turn the advertised work into theft. – Employment Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Appeal to Authority — Appeal to authority occurs when a claim receives acceptance because an apparently authoritative person or organization supports it. The reasoning becomes misleading when the claimed authority is false, irrelevant, or treated as a substitute for evidence. Scammers exploit this tendency through fabricated credentials, official logos, and impersonated professionals. — Reasoning Fallacy

Added October 3, 2026

Appeal to Popularity — Appeal to popularity treats widespread acceptance as evidence that a claim is true or an opportunity is legitimate. A large following or numerous favorable comments does not establish factual accuracy. Scammers manufacture apparent popularity through fake accounts, staged testimonials, and coordinated endorsements. — Reasoning Fallacy

Added October 3, 2026

Apple Impersonation Scam — An Apple impersonation scam uses false warnings about purchases, device security, or account access. The criminal requests credentials, verification codes, or payments. Familiar product details create an appearance of legitimate customer support. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Application programming interface — An application programming interface, or API, allows software to request services directly from another system. API billing measures technical usage separately from consumer subscription arrangements. An API cost calculation therefore does not establish the amount that an ordinary subscriber pays for an equivalent conversation. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Application Programming Interface Security — Application programming interface security protects the interfaces through which software systems exchange requests and information. Controls address authentication, authorization, input handling, and excessive access. Weak API security exposes data or functions even when an application’s visible interface appears secure. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Application Security — Application security protects software throughout its design, development, deployment, and operation. It addresses weaknesses in code, configuration, dependencies, and access controls. Organizations strengthen application security through secure development practices, testing, monitoring, and timely corrections. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Application Shimming — Application shimming uses compatibility mechanisms that alter how software interacts with its operating environment. Attackers abuse these mechanisms to redirect behavior or introduce unauthorized execution. Legitimate shims also help older applications operate correctly on newer systems. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Application Shimming — Application shimming modifies how software interacts with its operating environment through compatibility mechanisms. Attackers abuse those mechanisms to introduce unauthorized behavior. The technique disguises malicious intervention within features that normally support legitimate applications. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Appointment Preparation — Appointment preparation involves organizing information and questions before meeting with a bank, therapist, or other provider. Written notes reduce the need to recall every detail during distress. Preparation supports participation without requiring complete certainty about how the meeting will unfold. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Approved communication channels — Approved communication channels are the methods an organization authorizes for contact between supporters and members. These channels establish where support conversations and related information belong. Their use helps maintain consistent boundaries and keeps communication within the organization’s established procedures. — Community Operations

Added October 16, 2026

Arbitration opt-out — An arbitration opt-out allows a customer to reject an arbitration requirement through a specified procedure. The platform’s terms establish the deadline and required notice. A timely opt-out preserves the dispute options covered by that provision rather than automatically establishing a valid legal claim. — Legal Procedures

Added October 23, 2026

Arrest Warrant Scam — An arrest warrant scam claims that authorities will arrest the target unless a payment resolves the matter. The criminal invents charges or unpaid obligations. The threat converts fear of detention into financial compliance. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Artificial intelligence-generated images — Artificial intelligence-generated images are pictures created by software rather than photographs documenting an actual person. Scammers use these images to give fictional romantic identities a convincing appearance. An attractive or realistic profile picture does not establish that the person described in the profile exists. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Artificial personality — An artificial personality is the recognizable character that a chatbot presents through its language, tone, and behavior. Affectionate names, protective statements, and repeated references to shared conversations help establish that character. Changes to the software sometimes alter the personality that an attached user recognizes. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Asset Blocking — Asset blocking restricts dealings with property covered by applicable sanctions. The property remains subject to restrictions rather than becoming freely available for withdrawal or transfer. Blocking does not automatically return stolen money to victims or establish a right to compensation. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Asset Inventory — An asset inventory records the systems, software, devices, and other resources an organization maintains. Useful records identify ownership, purpose, location, and security significance. Accurate inventories help organizations find unmanaged resources and prioritize protection, maintenance, and incident response. – Asset Management

Added October 7, 2026

Assistance Seeking — Assistance seeking means identifying a difficulty and requesting appropriate help with it. A survivor asks for practical support, professional assessment, or clarification rather than concealing the obstacle. Seeking assistance forms part of responsible action when independent effort is insufficient. — Support and Treatment

Added October 12, 2026

Assumption — An assumption is information accepted as true before sufficient evidence establishes it. A survivor assumes a familiar account belongs to its usual owner or interprets an unanswered message as rejection. Identifying the assumption reveals which part of the situation still requires examination. — Thinking Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Assurances of Reimbursement — Assurances of reimbursement are promises that an earlier payment will be returned later. Timeshare fraud operators use these promises to make advance fees appear temporary and manageable. The reassurance encourages further payments despite the absence of a genuine buyer or completed sale. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Asymmetric Encryption — Asymmetric encryption uses a mathematically related public key and private key. A sender encrypts information with the recipient’s public key, and the recipient decrypts it with the corresponding private key. This arrangement reduces the need to share secret encryption keys beforehand. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Asynchronous Procedure Call Injection — Asynchronous procedure call injection places malicious execution within another process through a supported scheduling mechanism. The attacker abuses legitimate operating system behavior. The technique helps malicious activity run inside a process that appears unrelated to the intrusion. – Process Injection

Added October 7, 2026

Asynchronous Procedure Call Injection — Asynchronous procedure call injection places unauthorized execution within a process through a scheduling mechanism. Attackers use the technique to run code under another process’s context. It complicates detection by associating malicious activity with an existing application. – Process Injection

Added October 7, 2026

ATM Jackpotting — ATM jackpotting causes an automated teller machine to dispense cash without legitimate withdrawal authorization. Attackers manipulate the machine’s software, hardware, or communications. The attack targets the dispensing process rather than an ordinary customer transaction. – Financial Cybercrime

Added October 7, 2026

ATM Jackpotting — ATM jackpotting forces an automated teller machine to dispense cash without legitimate withdrawals. Criminals manipulate the machine through malware, hardware intervention, or compromised controls. The attack targets the equipment’s cash-handling functions rather than a customer’s ordinary transaction. – Financial Cybercrime

Added October 7, 2026

Attachment disruption trauma — Attachment disruption trauma describes psychological trauma associated with a severe disturbance in a relied-upon attachment relationship. Forced separation, frightening caregiver loss, or profound relational rupture are relevant contexts. It emphasizes disrupted emotional security and continuity of care. — Attachment context.

Added October 5, 2026

Attachment to a Cherished Home — Attachment to a cherished home is the emotional connection to a dwelling as a place of belonging or future possibility. A survivor values the home while struggling to preserve its condition. The attachment and the ability to maintain the property require separate attention. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Attachment to an Imagined Future — Attachment to an imagined future involves investing emotional meaning in a life that has not yet occurred. The imagined life includes companionship, security, or a fresh beginning. Concern develops when present care depends almost entirely on that future becoming real. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Attachment trauma — Attachment trauma describes trauma involving disruption or violation of relationships relied upon for safety and emotional security. Caregiver abuse, profound neglect, and threatening relational ruptures are examples. It concerns injury to attachment security rather than ordinary relationship disappointment. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Attack Surface — An attack surface includes the points through which an attacker could interact with or compromise a system. These points include exposed services, accounts, interfaces, and human processes. Reducing unnecessary exposure makes attacks more difficult and simplifies security oversight. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Attack Vector — An attack vector is a route or method an attacker uses to reach a target. Examples include phishing messages, exposed services, and compromised software updates. Identifying likely vectors helps organizations choose protections that address their actual exposure. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Attitudinal Dissonance — Attitudinal dissonance describes discomfort arising from conflicting attitudes or from a mismatch between an attitude and personal behavior. A survivor values caution while continuing to view the criminal’s messages with interest. Recognizing the inconsistency helps the survivor examine the competing attitudes without treating the conflict as a personal failure. — Cognitive Process

Added October 7, 2026

Audit Log — An audit log records activities that support accountability and investigation. Entries commonly identify who performed an action, what occurred, and when it happened. Organizations protect these records against alteration and review them for misuse or policy violations. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Audited Fraud Figures — Audited fraud figures are statistics examined through an independent review of the underlying records and methods. An audit can help establish what was counted, what was excluded, and whether the calculation is reliable. A platform’s published claim does not become independently verified simply because it is repeated. — Research and Evidence

Added September 30, 2026

Authentication — Authentication verifies an asserted identity or confirms control of an associated authenticator. A system evaluates evidence such as a password, security key, or biometric factor. Successful authentication establishes identity confidence but does not itself determine every permission that follows. – Authentication CSRC

Added October 7, 2026

Authentication Downgrade — Authentication downgrade forces or encourages a system to use a weaker authentication method. The attacker exploits compatibility settings or negotiation behavior. The weaker method creates opportunities that stronger authentication would restrict. – Authentication Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Authentication Downgrade — Authentication downgrade forces or encourages a system to use a weaker authentication method. The attacker exploits compatibility options or negotiation weaknesses. Reduced protection creates opportunities for credential theft, impersonation, or unauthorized access. – Authentication Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Authentication Relay — Authentication relay forwards another party’s authentication exchange to a different destination. The destination mistakes the relayed exchange for a legitimate connection. Attackers exploit insufficient binding between authentication evidence and the intended communication context. – Authentication Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Authentication Relay — Authentication relay forwards a victim’s authentication exchange to another service. The attacker uses the victim’s participation to obtain unauthorized access. Effective protections bind authentication to the intended destination and communication context. – Authentication Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Authorization — Authorization determines which actions an authenticated identity or other requester receives permission to perform. Systems evaluate roles, policies, and contextual requirements before granting access. An identity might authenticate successfully while lacking authorization to view a particular record or change a setting. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

AutoIt Abuse — AutoIt abuse uses the legitimate AutoIt scripting environment for malicious automation or software delivery. Attackers package scripts to perform unauthorized actions. The tool’s presence alone does not establish malicious intent because legitimate administrators also use it. – Legitimate Tool Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

AutoIt Abuse — AutoIt abuse uses the legitimate AutoIt scripting environment for malicious activity. Attackers automate execution, distribute harmful scripts, or disguise their operations. The tool’s legitimate purpose does not establish that every script using it is trustworthy. – Legitimate Tool Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Automated Detection — Automated detection uses computer systems to identify information or activity associated with deception. Such systems examine features of profiles, messages, or accounts and classify them according to learned patterns or established rules. Their performance depends on the quality of their design, testing, and application to actual conditions. — Digital Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Automated Screening — Automated screening examines incoming content or account activity for indicators requiring filtering, review, or intervention. Platforms and email services use screening to reduce exposure to suspicious material before an individual evaluates it. Screening provides a protective layer without establishing that every item passing through it is safe. — Digital Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Automated Teller Machine Malware — Automated teller machine malware targets the software or operating environment of cash machines. Its functions include unauthorized dispensing and collection of financial information. Criminal operators use it to interfere with controls governing transactions and machine operation. – Financial Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Automatic agreement — Automatic agreement occurs when a person accepts a request or suggestion without examining its meaning, evidence, or consequences. Emotional pressure and the desire to end discomfort influence this response. A deliberate pause creates room to evaluate the request before committing to an action. — Decision-Making Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Automatic explanations — Automatic explanations are familiar interpretations that arise with little deliberate examination. A survivor dismisses kindness as politeness or progress as luck before considering the evidence. Identifying these explanations helps reveal how negative expectations remain intact despite experiences that contradict them. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Automatic rejection — Automatic rejection occurs when a person dismisses guidance or a request before examining its relevance. Embarrassment or a painful interpretation sometimes drives the response. Clarification helps a survivor evaluate both the content and delivery of guidance while retaining the right to disagree. — Decision-Making Patterns

Added October 17, 2026

Autorun Abuse — Autorun abuse manipulates mechanisms that automatically start software under specified conditions. Attackers arrange for malicious activity to begin during startup or another routine event. The technique exploits convenience features to establish continued execution. – Persistence Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Autorun Abuse — Autorun abuse exploits mechanisms that launch software automatically under specified conditions. Attackers arrange malicious execution when a device starts, a user signs in, or another event occurs. The technique reduces the need for repeated manual intervention. – Persistence Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Availability — Availability means that authorized users have timely and reliable access to information and services. Hardware failures, attacks, and operational mistakes threaten this objective. Organizations protect availability through resilient design, maintenance, capacity planning, and recovery arrangements. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Avoidance — Avoidance involves turning away from experiences, feelings, or tasks because they seem difficult to face. It offers immediate relief while leaving the underlying concern unresolved. Persistent reliance on avoidance differs from a deliberate protective decision to stop contact with a criminal. — Coping Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Avoidance — Avoidance involves staying away from experiences, feelings, or responsibilities that produce discomfort. It provides immediate relief but leaves important needs unresolved when it becomes the main response to distress. Recovery requires distinguishing withdrawal from safe activities from appropriate protection against criminals and genuinely dangerous situations. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Backdoor — A backdoor provides an alternative route into a system that bypasses normal security controls. Attackers introduce backdoors through malicious code, compromised updates, or unauthorized configuration changes. Their presence allows continued access even after defenders address the original entry point. – Unauthorized Access

Added October 7, 2026

Backers — Backers are people who pledge money to support crowdfunding projects, often in exchange for a promised product or reward. Their contributions help creators attempt to develop or deliver something. Backers can lose money when projects fail, and an unsuccessful project does not automatically establish fraud. — Crowdfunding Participant

Added September 30, 2026

Backstory — A backstory is the invented personal history that supports a scammer’s fictional identity. Details about employment, widowhood, children, illness, or overseas travel make the character appear believable. Criminals also introduce these details early to prepare explanations for later emergencies and financial requests. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Backup — A backup preserves a separate copy of information for restoration after loss or damage. Reliable backup arrangements include protected storage, appropriate retention, and restoration testing. Backups that share the same vulnerabilities as production systems remain exposed to the same incident. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Badger Game — A badger game uses a staged compromising encounter to create grounds for blackmail. An accomplice appears as an outraged spouse, investigator, or other threatening figure and demands payment. The offenders exploit fear of exposure, reputational damage, or supposed legal consequences. – Extortion Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Bail Payment Scam — A bail payment scam falsely claims that someone needs money to secure release from custody. The criminal impersonates the detained person or a legal official. The payment funds the deception rather than a genuine release process. – Emergency Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Baiting — Baiting uses an attractive offer or object to encourage a person to take an unsafe action. Examples include deceptive downloads and abandoned storage devices containing malicious software. The attacker exploits curiosity, convenience, or promised rewards to overcome caution. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Bank Examiner Ploy — A bank examiner ploy involves criminals pretending to investigate dishonest bank employees or irregular transactions. They persuade the target to withdraw money and surrender it for supposed examination or evidence. The investigation is fictitious, and the criminals keep the money entrusted to them. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bank Impersonation Scam — A bank impersonation scam involves someone falsely representing a financial institution. The criminal claims account problems, suspicious transactions, or urgent security checks. Requests for transfers, passwords, or verification codes enable theft. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Banking credentials — Banking credentials are information used to access a financial account, including usernames and passwords. Disclosure gives the criminal information that threatens account security. The victim protects these credentials and excludes them from ordinary email exchanges containing evidence. — Account Security

Added October 18, 2026

Banking Trojan — A banking Trojan is malicious software that targets financial accounts and related transactions. It collects credentials, alters interactions, or supports unauthorized access. Its deceptive delivery conceals functions that expose victims to theft and fraud. – Financial Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Banking Trojan — A banking Trojan targets financial information or interactions with banking services. It captures credentials, manipulates interfaces, or interferes with transactions. Its deceptive installation and specialized functions support theft from customers and institutions. – Financial Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Barriers to Treatment — Barriers to treatment are circumstances that interfere with obtaining or continuing appropriate care. They include financial loss, transportation problems, shame, and difficulty completing the steps involved. Identifying these barriers distinguishes limited access from an assumed rejection of recovery. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Beacon — A beacon is a recurring communication from a compromised system to an operator-controlled destination. It signals availability or requests further instructions. Analysts examine its timing and content to distinguish malicious coordination from legitimate communications. – Attacker Communications

Added October 7, 2026

Beacon — A beacon is a recurring communication from compromised infrastructure to an operator or control service. It signals availability and supports task coordination. Defenders examine its timing, destinations, and content to identify suspicious communications. – Attack Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Behavioral activation — Behavioral activation is a treatment approach for depression that uses planned activities and examines patterns of avoidance. A clinician helps the person reconnect with meaningful responsibilities, relationships, and sources of satisfaction. Its purpose extends beyond keeping busy and includes understanding how behavior affects daily functioning and mood. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Behavioral Analytics — Behavioral analytics examines patterns of activity to identify unusual or suspicious conduct. Security teams compare current actions with expected behavior for users, devices, or applications. Effective analysis considers context because legitimate changes also produce departures from normal patterns. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Behavioral Cues — Behavioral cues are observable actions or expressions that people use when interpreting another person’s state or intentions. Examples include eye contact, pauses, facial movements, and changes in voice. These behaviors do not provide a universal or dependable distinction between honesty and deception. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Behavioral Dissonance — Behavioral dissonance describes a mismatch between a person’s actions and their beliefs, values, or stated intentions. A survivor commits to ending contact but continues checking an account associated with the scam. The term identifies the inconsistency, while understanding its triggers helps the survivor bring behavior into alignment with recovery goals. — Cognitive and Behavioral Process

Added October 7, 2026

Behavioral test — A behavioral test examines a specific prediction through a safe, clearly defined action. The survivor records the expected result, completes the activity, and compares the actual outcome with the original expectation. Useful tests preserve safeguards and examine ordinary situations rather than exposing the person to criminals or unnecessary danger. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Belief Dissonance — Belief dissonance describes discomfort when a person holds incompatible beliefs or encounters evidence that challenges an established belief. A survivor believes the relationship involved genuine commitment while also recognizing evidence of deliberate deception. Examining the evidence helps distinguish the survivor’s real emotional experience from unsupported beliefs about the criminal. — Cognitive Process

Added October 7, 2026

Beliefs About Undeservingness — Beliefs about undeservingness are judgments that a person does not merit comfort, improvement, or assistance. These judgments give neglect or rejection of care an emotional justification. Treatment examines the belief without treating criminal victimization as evidence that further suffering is deserved. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Bell State — A Bell state is one of four maximally entangled states involving two qubits. Measurements reveal correlations that depend on the shared state and chosen measurement settings. These states support protocols such as quantum teleportation and entanglement-based communication. – Quantum States

Added October 7, 2026

Beneficiaries — Beneficiaries are the people or organizations a fundraising campaign identifies as receiving assistance. Their needs may be genuine even when an organizer misrepresents the campaign or diverts its proceeds. Confirming a beneficiary’s existence should be accompanied by checking the organizer’s relationship and the destination of the money. — Crowdfunding Participant

Added September 30, 2026

Bereavement-related trauma — Bereavement-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with the circumstances of a death or its aftermath. Violent death, witnessed suffering, or disturbing exposure are relevant contexts. Bereavement and trauma overlap in some cases but remain distinguishable experiences. — Loss context.

Added October 5, 2026

Betrayal trauma — Betrayal trauma refers to trauma involving a serious violation of trust by a person or institution. Dependence on the betraying party is especially important in betrayal trauma theory. The experience combines harm with disruption of an expected source of safety or protection. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Betrayal trauma theory — Betrayal trauma theory examines the consequences of harm inflicted within relationships involving trust or dependence. It proposes that maintaining necessary relationships sometimes conflicts with recognizing betrayal. Its claims about attention and memory are theoretical propositions rather than universal rules. — Named theory.

Added October 5, 2026

Big Con — A big con is an elaborate confidence scheme involving preparation, coordinated performers, and a convincing fabricated situation. The offenders develop trust before inducing the target to commit substantial resources. Historical versions used staged businesses and apparent insider opportunities to make the deception seem credible. – Elaborate Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Big Store — A big store is a staged establishment that provides a realistic setting for an elaborate confidence game. Criminals furnish it as a brokerage, betting operation, or other apparently legitimate business. Staff, customers, documents, and routine activity create the appearance of independent confirmation for the fraudulent opportunity. – Confidence-Game Setting

Added October 7, 2026

Big-Mitt — Big-mitt is historical slang for a crooked poker game arranged to defraud a participant. The offenders manipulate cards, coordinate their play, or use other dishonest advantages. The target believes the losses result from legitimate competition rather than a controlled scheme. – Gambling Confidence Game soapysmiths.blogspot.com

Added October 7, 2026

Bilk — Bilk means to cheat someone out of money or evade a payment that the person legitimately deserves. An offender accomplishes this through false promises, misrepresentation, or deliberate avoidance. The word describes fraudulent conduct rather than one particular scam structure. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Billing dispute — A billing dispute occurs when a customer challenges a charge through a financial company or payment provider. The dispute concerns whether the charge or associated service meets the applicable payment terms. Restrictions imposed after a dispute create an additional concern when the customer loses access to services already purchased. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Binary Options Scam — A binary options scam uses deceptive platforms or sales practices involving fixed-outcome trading contracts. The operator manipulates representations, blocks withdrawals, or misappropriates deposits. The trading format supplies the appearance of a legitimate financial opportunity. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Binary Padding — Binary padding adds extra material to an executable file. Attackers use the added content to change file characteristics or complicate detection. Padding does not necessarily alter the program’s principal malicious function. – Detection Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Binary Padding — Binary padding adds unnecessary material to an executable file. Attackers use it to change file characteristics or interfere with selected detection methods. The added content does not need to alter the program’s main behavior. – Defense Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Biometric Authentication — Biometric authentication evaluates physical or behavioral characteristics to help verify an identity. Examples include fingerprints, facial characteristics, and voice patterns. Secure implementations protect biometric information and address false matches, spoofing attempts, and practical recovery options. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Birth-related psychological trauma — Birth-related psychological trauma refers to psychological injury associated with a frightening or overwhelming childbirth experience. Perceived threat, loss of control, and experiences of mistreatment are relevant factors. The term concerns emotional consequences rather than obstetric injury itself. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Bit-Flip Error — A bit-flip error applies a change that exchanges a qubit’s zero and one basis states. It also alters superposition states according to the same operation. Quantum error correction detects and addresses this error without directly reading the protected information. – Quantum Errors

Added October 7, 2026

Black Box Testing — Black box testing evaluates a system without giving testers detailed knowledge of its internal design. Testers examine externally observable behavior and available interfaces. This approach helps reveal weaknesses that an outside attacker would encounter, although it provides limited internal coverage. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Black Hat — A black hat is a hacker who conducts unauthorized or malicious activity. The term emphasizes harmful purpose or disregard for authorization. It contrasts with authorized security research, although informal labels do not replace examination of actual conduct. – Hacker Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Black Hat — A black hat is a hacker who conducts unauthorized or malicious activity. The term distinguishes criminal intent or conduct from authorized security research. Such actors seek benefits through intrusion, theft, disruption, or exploitation. – Hacker Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Black Money Scam — A black money scam claims that valuable currency has been stained or treated for concealment. The criminal demonstrates a deceptive cleaning process and requests money for supplies or release. The supposed hidden wealth consists of worthless material rather than recoverable funds. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Blackmail — Blackmail involves threats to reveal sensitive information unless a victim meets the criminal’s demands. Romance scammers threaten to expose private communications or involvement in activities such as moving criminal funds. The threat uses fear of consequences to extract further payments as the victim attempts to leave. — Criminal Coercion

Added October 15, 2026

Blind Contour — Blind contour refers to blind contour drawing, an art exercise that also serves as a mindfulness activity in some therapeutic settings. The person looks closely at an object, such as a hand, leaf, or face, and slowly draws its outlines without looking at the paper. “Blind” refers to the absence of visual feedback from the drawing, not to closing the eyes. The purpose involves careful observation rather than producing an accurate or attractive picture. Its psychological application centers on practicing sustained attention, noticing self-criticism, and tolerating uncertainty or imperfection. Because the person does not watch the drawing develop, the exercise removes opportunities to continually inspect and correct the result. Some art therapists incorporate it into mindfulness work, including practice informed by dialectical behavior therapy, to emphasize observing and participating without immediate judgment. A simple version involves drawing the outline of a leaf for one or two minutes while keeping the eyes on the leaf and moving the pencil slowly. Afterward, the person examines both the drawing and the experience, including urges to check, correct, criticize, or abandon the task. Blind contour drawing is an exercise rather than a standalone psychotherapy, and its use in mindfulness does not establish it as a proven treatment for trauma or rumination.

Added October 5, 2026

Blind SQL Injection — Blind SQL injection manipulates database queries without receiving direct query results in the response. Attackers infer information from differences in application behavior. Observable clues include changed responses or delays associated with specific conditions. – Database Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Blind SQL Injection — Blind SQL injection manipulates database queries without directly receiving the requested data in a normal response. Attackers infer information from changes in application behavior. The underlying weakness involves inadequate separation between supplied data and database instructions. – Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Bloch Sphere — The Bloch sphere geometrically represents the state of a single qubit. Pure states occupy its surface, while mixed states occupy points inside it. Researchers use this representation to visualize rotations, state relationships, and the effects of noise. – State Representation

Added October 7, 2026

Blockchain Address Poisoning — Blockchain address poisoning introduces a misleading address into a person’s transaction history or related records. The address resembles a legitimate destination. The attacker expects the person to select the wrong address during a later transfer. – Cryptocurrency Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Blockchain Address Poisoning — Blockchain address poisoning places misleading address information within a person’s transaction history or related records. Criminals choose addresses that resemble trusted destinations. The deception encourages victims to select the wrong address for a later transfer. – Cryptocurrency Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Blockchain network — A blockchain network is the system on which a cryptocurrency transaction occurs and its record appears. Identifying the network helps distinguish the transaction from activity involving other systems. The victim records it alongside the asset, amount, addresses, and transaction hash. — Cryptocurrency Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Blocked Funds Release Claims — Blocked funds release claims assert that an agency has frozen money and that a payment will secure its release. Timeshare fraud operators use this explanation while impersonating government employees. The claim creates another reason for victims to send money after an earlier loss. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Blocklist — A blocklist identifies items that a system rejects or restricts. Examples include known malicious domains, prohibited applications, and abusive network addresses. Because new threats appear continually, blocklists require updates and work best alongside controls that evaluate unfamiliar activity. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Blow-Off — A blow-off is the concluding maneuver through which confidence operators dismiss the target or end the encounter. The offenders provide an explanation that conceals their responsibility or discourages further questions. Historical versions included staged emergencies, apparent police intervention, or manufactured disputes. – Confidence-Game Stage

Added October 7, 2026

Blue Team — A blue team defends an organization’s systems and information against security threats. Its responsibilities include monitoring, strengthening controls, investigating alerts, and responding to incidents. Blue teams also examine defensive weaknesses and improve protection through exercises and operational experience. – Security Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Boiler Room Scam — A boiler room scam uses an organized sales operation to pressure people into fraudulent investments. Callers promote exaggerated returns and urgent opportunities. Persistent contact and scripted persuasion substitute for reliable investment information. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bootkit — A bootkit is malware that interferes with a computer’s startup process to establish control or persistence. It targets components that operate before or during operating system loading. Its early execution creates serious detection and removal challenges for defenders. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Bootloader Tampering — Bootloader tampering alters software that helps start an operating system. Attackers modify this early execution stage to gain control or preserve access. The resulting compromise undermines trust before ordinary applications begin operating. – Startup Compromise

Added October 7, 2026

Bootloader Tampering — Bootloader tampering alters the software responsible for beginning a system’s startup sequence. Attackers use the modification to interfere with trusted loading or introduce unauthorized execution. The compromise affects a stage that precedes many ordinary application protections. – Startup Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Born Rule — The Born rule connects a quantum state with the probabilities of measurement outcomes. For a state expressed in an orthonormal measurement basis, each outcome’s probability equals the squared magnitude of its amplitude. This rule links mathematical descriptions with experimental observations. – Quantum Principles IBM Quantum Learning

Added October 7, 2026

Borrowed identity — A borrowed identity consists of personal details or photographs belonging to someone other than the criminal using them. The fabricated presentation gives the survivor an apparent person to recognize and trust. Discovering the substitution forces a painful separation between the visible identity and the criminal behind the communication. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Bot — A bot is software that performs tasks automatically. Legitimate bots support services such as indexing and customer assistance, while malicious bots conduct abusive activity. Security assessment depends on the bot’s purpose, permissions, behavior, and scale of operation. – Automated Systems

Added October 7, 2026

Botnet — A botnet is a collection of devices that an operator controls together, commonly through malware. Operators use compromised devices for activities such as spam, credential attacks, and service disruption. Device owners often remain unaware that their equipment participates. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Breach of contract — Breach of contract occurs when a party fails to fulfill an enforceable contractual obligation. A claim against a dating service requires identifying the particular promise the company allegedly broke. Disclaimers, dispute provisions, and limits on damages affect the options available to the customer. — Legal Claims

Added October 23, 2026

Breeder Impersonation Scam — A breeder impersonation scam uses another breeder’s identity, photographs, or business reputation. The criminal accepts deposits for nonexistent animals. Buyers believe they are dealing with a known professional while paying an impostor. – Pet Purchase Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Bride from Overseas Scam — A bride from overseas scam uses a deceptive marriage prospect involving a person supposedly living abroad. The criminal requests payments for travel, documents, family obligations, or wedding arrangements. The promised relationship provides leverage for obtaining money without delivering the represented commitment. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Fingerprinting — Browser fingerprinting identifies or distinguishes browsers through combinations of observable characteristics. Collected details include configuration and device-related properties. Criminal operators use fingerprints for tracking, target selection, or attempts to imitate legitimate account activity. – Tracking Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Fingerprinting — Browser fingerprinting identifies or correlates browsers through combinations of observable characteristics. These characteristics include settings, supported features, and device-related information. Criminals use fingerprints for tracking, targeting, and evaluating whether an environment belongs to an investigator. – Tracking Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Lock Scam — A browser lock scam uses a webpage that appears to prevent normal computer use. The page displays threats or fake security warnings. A supplied telephone number connects the target with criminals demanding payment or access. – Technical Support Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Synchronization Abuse — Browser synchronization abuse exploits features that share browser information across devices or accounts. Attackers misuse synchronized content or settings to extend access. The abuse exposes information beyond the device where the original compromise occurred. – Browser Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Browser Synchronization Abuse — Browser synchronization abuse exploits features that share browser information across devices or accounts. Attackers misuse synchronized settings, extensions, or stored information. The activity extends a compromise beyond the device where it began. – Browser Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Browser-in-the-Browser Attack — A browser-in-the-browser attack imitates a separate browser window inside a webpage. The imitation presents convincing login content and apparent browser controls. Victims mistake the simulated window for a genuine authentication interface. – Credential Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Browser-in-the-Browser Attack — A browser-in-the-browser attack displays a counterfeit browser window inside a webpage. The imitation reproduces familiar login elements to appear authentic. Victims enter information into the attacker’s interface while believing they interact with a legitimate service. – Credential Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Brushing Scam — A brushing scam uses someone’s identity or address to create misleading purchase records and reviews. An operator sends unsolicited merchandise or fabricates transactions. The activity manufactures apparent customer demand without a genuine purchase by the recipient. – Marketplace Manipulation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Brute-Force Attack — A brute-force attack systematically tries possible values until it finds a working password, key, or other secret. Its success depends on search size and available computing resources. Strong secrets and appropriately designed access controls make this approach less practical. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Bubble — A bubble is a protected mental or social environment in which a person’s beliefs receive reassurance while conflicting evidence and challenging perspectives receive limited attention. In scam victimization, a bubble forms around a fabricated relationship, while in recoveriness, it forms around the assumption that participation alone establishes meaningful progress. The comfort within a bubble makes familiar explanations feel sufficient, even when daily behavior and available evidence reveal unresolved problems. Moving beyond a bubble requires examining assumptions, considering constructive feedback, and assessing progress through practical changes rather than reassurance alone. – Psychological Environment

Added October 8, 2026

Buffer Overflow — A buffer overflow occurs when software writes more data into a memory area than that area accommodates. The excess data corrupts adjacent memory or disrupts execution. Attackers exploit some buffer overflows to change program behavior or execute unauthorized code. – Software Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Bulletproof Hosting — Bulletproof hosting provides infrastructure that tolerates or deliberately supports abusive online activity. Operators resist complaints, conceal customers, or obstruct disruption efforts. Criminal groups use these services to sustain malicious websites and supporting infrastructure. – Criminal Infrastructure www.europol.europa.eu

Added October 7, 2026

Bulletproof Hosting — Bulletproof hosting provides infrastructure that tolerates criminal activity or resists ordinary abuse complaints. Operators support services such as malware distribution and illicit marketplaces. The arrangement helps criminals maintain operations despite reports and enforcement pressure. – Criminal Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Bullying-related trauma — Bullying-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with repeated aggression involving a power imbalance. Humiliation, threats, exclusion, and intimidation are relevant experiences. Its effects concern enduring disruption in safety, trust, or functioning. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Bunco — Bunco is an older term for a swindle or confidence trick. It describes deception that induces someone to surrender money, property, or another benefit. The word also names a legitimate social dice game, so its meaning depends on context. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Bunco Game — A bunco game is a fraudulent arrangement that relies on deception, manufactured trust, or dishonest manipulation. Offenders present the activity as an opportunity, transaction, or fair contest. The target participates without knowing that the operators have designed the outcome for their own benefit. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Bunko — Bunko is an alternative spelling of bunco when the word refers to fraud or swindling. It appears in older descriptions of confidence operators and deceptive schemes. The spelling does not identify a different criminal method. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Business Coaching Scam — A business coaching scam sells instruction through false claims about expertise or expected earnings. The operator escalates charges for supposedly essential advanced services. Clients pay for misrepresented guidance without the promised opportunity or support. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Business Continuity — Business continuity maintains essential organizational functions during and after a disruption. Planning identifies critical activities, dependencies, responsibilities, and alternative operating arrangements. Cybersecurity contributes by reducing disruptions and supporting continued service when systems or information become unavailable. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Business Directory Scam — A business directory scam bills organizations for unauthorized or misrepresented listings. The operator claims someone previously approved the service. Threats of collection pressure the business to pay for an unwanted or nonexistent product. – Business Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Business Email Compromise — Business email compromise uses deceptive or compromised email communications to induce fraudulent business actions. Attackers impersonate executives, suppliers, or other trusted parties to redirect payments or obtain information. Independent verification of sensitive requests helps interrupt the deception. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Business Email Compromise Scam — A business email compromise scam uses deceptive or compromised business communications to redirect money or information. The criminal impersonates a trusted workplace contact. Employees act on instructions that benefit the offender rather than the organization. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Business Logic Abuse — Business logic abuse exploits weaknesses in an application’s intended rules or workflows. The attacker manipulates legitimate functions to obtain an unauthorized outcome. Technical requests appear valid even though their combined effect violates the service’s purpose. – Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Business Logic Abuse — Business logic abuse exploits an application’s intended functions in ways that undermine its rules or purpose. Attackers manipulate workflows rather than relying solely on coding defects. The resulting actions include improper benefits, unauthorized transactions, and resource misuse. – Application Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Bust-Out Scheme — A bust-out scheme uses a business or credit account to obtain goods or funds before deliberately abandoning payment obligations. The offenders establish apparent credibility and then expand purchases or borrowing. They remove the value while leaving suppliers or creditors with unpaid losses. – Business Credit Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Buyer Overpayment Scam — A buyer overpayment scam sends a fraudulent payment exceeding the agreed price. The criminal asks the seller to return the difference. The original payment fails while the seller’s refund represents real money. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cached input tokens — Cached input tokens represent previously processed input that a system reuses during a later request. Providers sometimes charge a lower rate for this reused material than for newly processed input. The distinction helps explain why the same apparent conversation length does not always produce the same technical cost. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Calendar Invitation Scam — A calendar invitation scam inserts deceptive events containing alarming notices or promotional links. The criminal uses the calendar’s familiar appearance to attract attention. Following the event instructions leads to fraudulent payments, credential theft, or malicious websites. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

California B.O.T. Act — California’s B.O.T. Act addresses certain uses of automated accounts that conceal their artificial identity to influence commercial or electoral decisions. Its commercial relevance includes deceptive bot interactions intended to encourage purchases. Human employees posing as potential dates raise separate issues under general laws against deception. — Consumer Protection

Added October 23, 2026

Call Center Fraud — Call center fraud involves coordinated telephone operations that use deceptive conversations to obtain money or information. Staff contact prospective victims and present scripted offers, explanations, or payment demands. A professional telephone manner does not establish that the operation conducts legitimate business. — Fraud Operations

Added October 11, 2026

Call records — Call records document telephone or app-based calling activity connected with the scam. They help establish contact details and the sequence of communications. The victim preserves available records alongside messages, emails, and other material showing how the interaction developed. — Communication Records

Added October 18, 2026

Call Stack Spoofing — Call stack spoofing manipulates the apparent sequence of functions responsible for an operation. Attackers make suspicious activity appear to originate through more ordinary execution paths. The technique complicates analysis that relies on call-stack evidence. – Detection Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Call Stack Spoofing — Call stack spoofing disguises the sequence of function calls associated with an operation. Attackers manipulate this context to make execution appear more legitimate. The deception interferes with security tools that examine where suspicious activity originated. – Defense Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Callback Phishing — Callback phishing uses a deceptive message to persuade a recipient to telephone an attacker-controlled number. The conversation then advances the deception. Operators seek payments, sensitive information, or permission to access the recipient’s device. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Callback Phishing — Callback phishing uses a deceptive message to persuade a recipient to telephone an attacker. The criminal then continues the manipulation through conversation. The call supports payment demands, credential collection, or requests for remote access. – Social Engineering

Added October 7, 2026

Caller identity falsification — Caller identity falsification involves making a telephone call appear to originate from someone or somewhere other than its actual source. Scammers use this deception to support their invented identities and locations. The identity displayed during a call does not independently confirm the caller’s personal story. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Campaign Organizers — Campaign organizers are the people who create fundraisers, describe their purposes, and coordinate the collection of contributions. An organizer may be the beneficiary or someone claiming to act on another person’s behalf. Donors benefit from confirming the organizer’s identity, relationship to the beneficiary, and control over withdrawals. — Crowdfunding Participant

Added September 30, 2026

Campaign Verification — Campaign verification is the process of checking a fundraiser’s identity, claims, and intended use of money before contributing. It involves seeking evidence beyond the campaign’s own statements and photographs. Independent confirmation helps donors distinguish a compelling presentation from a substantiated request for assistance. — Verification Practice

Added September 30, 2026

Cancellation barriers — Cancellation barriers are obstacles that make ending a paid service unnecessarily difficult. Complicated procedures and unclear instructions interfere with a customer’s decision to stop paying. These barriers deserve particular scrutiny when emotional attachment already makes leaving the service distressing. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

CAPTCHA Farm — A CAPTCHA farm employs people or coordinated services to solve CAPTCHA challenges at scale. Criminal customers use the results to support automated abuse. The service undermines checks intended to distinguish human participation from automated activity. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

CAPTCHA Farm — A CAPTCHA farm organizes people or resources to solve challenges that distinguish humans from automated activity. Criminal operators use the service to bypass barriers against large-scale abuse. The arrangement supports fraudulent registrations, scraping, and other automated operations. – Cybercriminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

CAPTCHA Solver — A CAPTCHA solver is a tool or service that completes CAPTCHA challenges. It uses automated recognition, human assistance, or combined methods. Abusive operators integrate solvers into account creation, scraping, and other restricted activities. – Automation Tools

Added October 7, 2026

CAPTCHA Solver — A CAPTCHA solver is a tool or service that answers human-verification challenges. Legitimate and abusive uses depend on authorization and purpose. Criminals integrate solvers into workflows that otherwise face restrictions on automated activity. – Automation Tools

Added October 7, 2026

Captivity trauma — Captivity trauma refers to trauma associated with being confined under coercive or threatening conditions. Loss of freedom, dependence on captors, and inability to escape shape the experience. Its consequences concern psychological injury rather than confinement alone. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Car Rental Deposit Scam — A car rental deposit scam collects advance money for a vehicle that the advertiser cannot legitimately provide. The criminal uses deceptive listings and documents. The customer loses the deposit without receiving the promised rental. – Transportation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Carbon Credit Investment Scam — A carbon credit investment scam misrepresents environmental credits and their resale value. The seller claims easy profits or access to a growing market. Buyers receive nonexistent, unsuitable, or effectively unsellable assets. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Card Testing — Card testing checks whether payment card information supports successful transactions. Criminals use small or otherwise inconspicuous payment attempts to assess stolen details. Successful results identify cards for further fraud or resale. – Payment Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Card Testing — Card testing checks whether stolen payment card information remains usable. Criminals attempt transactions or other validation interactions to evaluate the details. Successful results guide later fraud and increase costs for affected merchants and cardholders. – Payment Card Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Carding — Carding involves obtaining, testing, trading, or fraudulently using payment card information. Participants divide responsibilities across specialized criminal activities. The term describes a broader ecosystem than a single unauthorized card purchase. – Payment Cybercrime

Added October 7, 2026

Carding — Carding involves trafficking in or fraudulently using stolen payment card information. Participants obtain details through theft, breaches, skimming, or underground purchases. The criminal ecosystem includes sellers, validators, purchasers, and cash-out specialists. – Payment Card Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Care Restoration — Care restoration is the rebuilding of activities and services that sustain health, safety, and everyday life. It includes reconnecting with healthcare and renewing basic personal or household care. Practical help and qualified treatment address different parts of the restoration process. — Recovery Practices

Added October 13, 2026

Carefree disregard — Carefree disregard involves dismissing risks, warnings, or responsibilities to preserve emotional comfort. The person treats caution as an obstacle and proceeds without giving consequences appropriate attention. It differs from healthy enjoyment because enjoyment remains compatible with verification, boundaries, and responsible decisions. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación — Cartel de Jalisco Nueva Generación, abbreviated CJNG, is a Mexico-based criminal organization associated with drug trafficking and other illicit activities. U.S. authorities have linked it to timeshare fraud networks targeting Americans. Its involvement connects apparently ordinary sales calls with a broader organized criminal enterprise. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cartel Enforcement Group — A cartel enforcement group carries out coercive or violent activities for a criminal organization. The Puerto Vallarta group described by authorities includes individuals associated with assassinations and armed violence. Such groups help maintain criminal power through intimidation rather than lawful authority. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cartel Threat Scam — A cartel threat scam falsely claims involvement with an organized criminal group. The offender demands payment for alleged offenses, debts, or protection. Graphic threats and personal information create an appearance of immediate danger. – Extortion Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cartel-Linked Companies — Cartel-linked companies are businesses that authorities connect to a cartel through ownership, control, representation, or other supported relationships. They operate under business names and describe commercial activities. Their corporate appearance does not establish independence from the criminal organization. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Cash Courier Scam — A cash courier scam persuades a target to withdraw money for collection by a supposed authorized representative. The criminal invents an emergency or investigation. The courier takes the cash as part of the fraud. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cash-Out — Cash-out converts criminal proceeds or unauthorized account value into usable funds or goods. Operators use intermediaries, transactions, and withdrawals to complete the conversion. The process links digital compromise with the criminal’s financial benefit. – Criminal Monetization

Added October 7, 2026

Cash-Out — Cash-out converts criminal proceeds or unauthorized financial access into spendable value. Participants use withdrawals, purchases, transfers, or other monetization channels. The process connects digital compromise with the offender’s eventual financial benefit. – Criminal Monetization

Added October 7, 2026

Cashier’s Check Scam — A cashier’s check scam uses a counterfeit or otherwise fraudulent bank-issued payment instrument. The criminal relies on the check’s apparent credibility. The recipient transfers money or releases goods before discovering the payment is invalid. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Catfish Scam — A catfish scam uses a fabricated online identity to obtain money, information, sexual material, or another benefit. The offender supports the identity with stolen photographs, invented personal history, and deceptive communication. The false identity creates trust that the offender then exploits. – Identity-Based Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Catfishing — Catfishing means creating or using a deceptive online identity to mislead another person about who is communicating with them. The deception includes false photographs, background information, or relationships. Catfishing supports many scams, but the term alone does not establish that financial theft occurred. – Identity Deception

Added October 7, 2026

CBP.gov — CBP.gov is the official website of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the federal agency responsible for border security and facilitating lawful trade and travel. It provides information about customs procedures, imports, exports, and entry requirements. The website also publishes warnings about criminals impersonating CBP officers. Its official information helps distinguish legitimate customs procedures from fabricated demands involving packages, fees, or supposed investigations. — Government Border and Customs Resource help.cbp.gov

Added October 2, 2026

Celebrity Romance Scam — A celebrity romance scam involves someone pretending to be a public figure who wants a private relationship. The impersonator promises special access and personal attention. Requests for money involve management fees, emergencies, travel, or supposed investments. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

CEO Fraud Scam — A CEO fraud scam impersonates a senior executive requesting an urgent payment or confidential action. The criminal exploits workplace hierarchy and secrecy. Staff transfer money or disclose information based on fabricated executive instructions. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Ceremonial ending — A ceremonial ending provides a clear point at which the survivor finishes the symbolic exercise. A final sentence and the act of putting materials away establish that stopping point. The ending does not require grief, longing, or unwanted memories to disappear. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Certificate Authority — A certificate authority issues digital certificates that connect public keys with identified entities under established procedures. Browsers and other systems rely on trusted authorities when evaluating certificates. An authority’s trustworthiness depends on its validation practices, security, and operational integrity. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Pinning — Certificate pinning restricts a connection to a specified certificate, public key, or approved set of related values. An application rejects connections that fail the expected match. This restriction strengthens some trust arrangements but creates operational challenges during legitimate certificate changes. – Connection Security

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Revocation — Certificate revocation withdraws trust in a certificate before its scheduled expiration. Reasons include private key compromise, incorrect issuance, or changes in authorization. Systems use revocation information to assess whether they should continue accepting the certificate. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Theft — Certificate theft obtains certificate files or related material without authorization. The most serious cases also expose associated private keys. Attackers use compromised signing or identity material to strengthen impersonation or disguise malicious software. – Identity Material Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Certificate Theft — Certificate theft involves obtaining digital certificates or associated private keys without authorization. The private key often provides the more sensitive capability. Criminals misuse stolen material to impersonate services, sign harmful software, or undermine trusted connections. – Identity Infrastructure Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

CFO Impersonation Scam — A CFO impersonation scam falsely represents a chief financial officer or equivalent finance leader. The criminal requests transfers, financial documents, or account changes. Apparent financial authority conceals the unauthorized nature of the request. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Chain of Custody — Chain of custody documents who collected, handled, transferred, and stored evidence. The record supports confidence that evidence retains its identity and integrity. Digital investigations use this process to establish accountability and explain how investigators preserved relevant material. – Digital Forensics

Added October 7, 2026

Challenge-Response Authentication — Challenge-response authentication requires a party to produce a valid response to a challenge. The response demonstrates possession of a secret or private key without necessarily transmitting that secret. Fresh challenges help prevent attackers from reusing previously captured exchanges. – Authentication

Added October 7, 2026

Chance Accuracy — Chance accuracy is the level of correct classification expected from guessing under specified conditions. A balanced task with two possible answers produces an expected guessing accuracy of 50 percent. The appropriate comparison changes when the possible answers or their frequency differ. — Research Measurement

Added October 3, 2026

Chargeback — A chargeback is a payment dispute process through which a cardholder challenges a transaction with the card issuer. The issuer evaluates the dispute under applicable rules and deadlines. A request does not guarantee reimbursement, and relevant messages, receipts, and representations help document the disputed charge. — Financial Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Charity Impersonation Scam — A charity impersonation scam falsely represents a real charitable organization. The criminal copies names, branding, or fundraising messages. Donations reach the offender rather than the organization the donor intended to support. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Checkable Details — Checkable details are specific statements that permit confirmation through evidence beyond the speaker’s account. Examples include an employer’s name, an event date, or a location connected to documented activity. Their value depends on actual verification rather than the mere presence of impressive detail. — Verification Practice

Added October 3, 2026

Checksum — A checksum is a calculated value that helps detect changes in data. Systems commonly use checksums to identify transmission errors or accidental corruption. Ordinary checksums do not provide the same protection against deliberate manipulation as appropriately designed cryptographic integrity controls. – Data Integrity

Added October 7, 2026

Childhood adversity — Childhood adversity includes difficult early experiences such as instability, repeated criticism, broken promises, and rejection. These experiences shape expectations about safety, acceptance, and the consequences of expressing needs. Their influence deserves understanding without treating childhood history as a permanent sentence against trust or recovery. — Developmental Influences

Added October 14, 2026

Childhood sexual abuse trauma — Childhood sexual abuse trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with sexual exploitation or abuse during childhood. Developmental vulnerability and dependence on adults shape its effects. It concerns harm imposed on a child rather than any responsibility of the child. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma — Childhood trauma refers to psychologically harmful or overwhelming experiences occurring before adulthood. Abuse, neglect, violence, and threatening losses are common contexts. Its consequences vary with the experience, developmental stage, available protection, and subsequent support. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma exposure — Childhood trauma exposure refers to encountering traumatic experiences during childhood. It identifies the timing of exposure rather than a uniform symptom pattern. Assessment considers developmental stage, exposure characteristics, and available protection. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Childhood trauma history — Childhood trauma history refers to the record of traumatic experiences occurring during a person's childhood. It concerns past exposure even when assessment occurs in adulthood. Available information varies because memory, documentation, and willingness to disclose differ. — Assessment concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Choosing Not to Engage — Choosing not to engage is a deliberate decision to withhold participation in an unsafe or unproductive interaction. A survivor declines contact with an unknown sender while addressing relevant account risks separately. The decision protects safety without abandoning necessary responsibilities. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Chosen timing — Chosen timing means scheduling the farewell around the survivor’s present needs and expected emotional demands. Preparation leaves room afterward rather than placing the exercise immediately before an important obligation. The survivor retains authority to postpone the ceremony when its demands exceed current capacity. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Chronic trauma — Chronic trauma describes trauma associated with repeated or continuing harmful experiences. Examples include ongoing abuse, persistent intimidation, or prolonged captivity. Its defining feature is sustained exposure rather than one isolated event. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Chronic trauma response — Chronic trauma response refers to trauma-related reactions that persist over an extended period. Continuing symptoms affect emotions, relationships, attention, or everyday functioning. Persistence requires assessment and does not mean recovery is impossible. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Cipher — A cipher is an algorithm for transforming plaintext into ciphertext and reversing that transformation with appropriate key material. Its security depends on its design and correct use. Strong ciphers still require suitable configurations, protected keys, and reliable implementations. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Ciphertext — Ciphertext is information that an encryption process has transformed into an encrypted form. A recipient needs the appropriate key and procedure to recover the plaintext. Ciphertext protects content confidentiality but does not automatically conceal communication patterns or other metadata. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Circuit Depth — Circuit depth measures the number of sequential operation layers in a quantum circuit. Operations within the same layer proceed together when hardware and dependency requirements permit. Greater depth generally exposes a computation to more accumulated errors and coherence limitations. – Circuit Performance

Added October 7, 2026

Civil Penalties — Civil penalties are consequences imposed through civil or administrative enforcement rather than a criminal conviction. Sanctions violations expose covered persons or businesses to these penalties under applicable law. A civil penalty against an offender does not automatically compensate a fraud victim. — Legal Enforcement

Added October 11, 2026

Civil penalties — Civil penalties are financial sanctions imposed for specified legal violations through civil enforcement. They serve a different purpose from criminal punishment or compensation paid directly to an individual victim. The notification framework gives government enforcers a basis to seek penalties for violations of its requirements. — Regulatory Enforcement

Added October 23, 2026

Civilian war trauma — Civilian war trauma describes psychological trauma experienced by noncombatants during armed conflict. Bombardment, atrocities, forced flight, deprivation, and loss are relevant exposures. Its definition centers civilian experience rather than military participation. — Conflict context.

Added October 5, 2026

Claim — A claim is a statement that someone presents as true. Receiving a message establishes that the statement was made, but it does not establish the accuracy of its contents. Describing information as a claim preserves the distinction between an assertion and verified information. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Clarifying question — A clarifying question seeks specific information about a statement, concern, or suggestion. It helps a survivor understand what another person actually means before responding to an assumed meaning. Questions about the exact concern or missing information support a more informed response. — Communication Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Class action waiver — A class action waiver is a contractual provision that restricts participation in a lawsuit or proceeding brought on behalf of a group. Dating services include such provisions alongside individual arbitration requirements. The applicable agreement and legal rules determine their effect on a particular dispute. — Legal Procedures

Added October 23, 2026

Clickjacking — Clickjacking tricks a person into interacting with an interface hidden beneath or disguised by another interface. The person believes the click serves one purpose while it triggers another action. Browser restrictions and careful interface design help prevent this manipulation. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Clifford Gate — A Clifford gate transforms Pauli operators into other Pauli operators under conjugation. These gates form an important part of quantum error correction and stabilizer circuits. Universal quantum computation requires additional resources beyond Clifford gates alone. – Quantum Gates

Added October 7, 2026

Clinical assessment — Clinical assessment is a qualified professional’s evaluation of a person’s symptoms, functioning, and treatment needs. It determines the nature of significant difficulties and identifies appropriate care options. Observations from advocates and peers inform support decisions but do not replace this professional evaluation. — Clinical Care

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical competence — Clinical competence is the professional ability required to assess and treat mental health concerns appropriately. It involves qualifications and skills suited to the service being delivered. Personal experience with victimization provides valuable understanding but does not independently establish competence to deliver psychotherapy. — Professional Responsibilities

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical credentials — Clinical credentials are the professional qualifications associated with a clinician’s role and preparation. They help distinguish qualified clinical providers from supporters whose responsibilities involve advocacy or peer assistance. Credentials, professional scope, and the actual service together help establish whether an interaction constitutes psychotherapy. — Professional Responsibilities

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical referral — Clinical referral is the process of connecting a survivor with a qualified professional for assessment or treatment. Supporters initiate this process when symptoms, impairment, or other needs exceed community support responsibilities. Referral responds to care needs and does not serve as punishment for disagreement or slow progress. — Care Coordination

Added October 16, 2026

Clinical Trial Enrollment Scam — A clinical trial enrollment scam falsely offers participation in medical research. The criminal requests fees, documents, or financial information. The supposed trial lacks the represented research organization or legitimate enrollment process. – Health Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Clipboard Hijacking — Clipboard hijacking changes or intercepts information that a device temporarily stores for copying and pasting. Malicious software substitutes attacker-selected content. Cryptocurrency addresses and payment details provide especially valuable targets for this interference. – Endpoint Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Clipboard Hijacking — Clipboard hijacking changes or captures information that a person copies between applications. Malware frequently replaces payment destinations or records sensitive text. The attack exploits a routine action that users seldom inspect closely. – Information Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Closed container — A closed container holds the chosen symbol outside the survivor’s everyday view. Placing the object inside provides a nondestructive way to mark a boundary around reminders. The container serves the symbolic exercise rather than replacing secure storage for original crime records. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Closing — Closing is the stage at which a property transaction is completed and the required documents and payments are finalized. Fraud operators refer to this stage when promising reimbursement of earlier fees. Mentioning a future closing does not prove that a buyer or genuine transaction exists. — Property Transactions

Added October 11, 2026

Cloud Access Security Broker — A cloud access security broker applies security policies to an organization’s use of cloud services. Its functions often include visibility, access restrictions, and data protection. Organizations use these capabilities to address risks across multiple cloud applications and user accounts. – Cloud Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Account Hijacking — Cloud account hijacking gives an attacker unauthorized control of an account associated with cloud services. The attacker abuses its storage, applications, or administrative capabilities. The consequences depend on the account’s permissions and connected resources. – Cloud Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Account Hijacking — Cloud account hijacking gives an attacker unauthorized control over an account for cloud services. The access exposes stored information, infrastructure, and connected applications. Attackers also exploit the account’s resources to support further criminal operations. – Cloud Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Instance Metadata Abuse — Cloud instance metadata abuse accesses sensitive configuration or identity information associated with a cloud workload. Attackers exploit inappropriate exposure or access paths. Obtained material helps them understand the environment or acquire additional permissions. – Cloud Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Instance Metadata Abuse — Cloud instance metadata abuse obtains or misuses information that a cloud platform provides to running workloads. Exposed metadata sometimes includes sensitive operational details or temporary credentials. Attackers exploit inadequate boundaries to expand access beyond the initial application. – Cloud Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Mining Scam — A cloud mining scam sells supposed access to remotely operated cryptocurrency mining equipment. The operator invents production records and projected profits. Investors pay subscription or contract fees for mining that does not occur as represented. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Security — Cloud security protects information, applications, and infrastructure that operate through cloud services. Responsibilities vary according to the service model and contractual arrangement. Organizations still need secure identities, appropriate configurations, monitoring, and a clear understanding of provider responsibilities. – Cloud Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Service Discovery — Cloud service discovery identifies services and resources within a cloud environment. Attackers examine available capabilities to select further actions. Legitimate administrators conduct similar discovery to manage assets and assess security. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Service Discovery — Cloud service discovery identifies the services and resources available within a cloud environment. Attackers examine these findings to understand an organization’s operations and dependencies. The information guides target selection and further movement. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Storage Object Discovery — Cloud storage object discovery identifies files and other stored objects within cloud storage services. Attackers examine listings, permissions, or accessible references. The findings reveal valuable information and opportunities for unauthorized collection. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Storage Object Discovery — Cloud storage object discovery identifies files or other objects within cloud storage. Attackers examine names, permissions, and available contents for valuable information. Excessive access and revealing metadata increase the usefulness of this reconnaissance. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Cloud Storage Scam — A cloud storage scam falsely claims a storage problem, shared file, or account limitation. The criminal imitates a legitimate cloud provider. The deceptive process collects credentials or persuades the target to install harmful software. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Code Cave — A code cave is unused or available space within a program’s memory or file structure. An attacker places additional instructions in that space. The technique alters execution while preserving much of the surrounding program’s appearance. – Code Modification

Added October 7, 2026

Code Cave — A code cave is an unused or available area within a program’s structure. Attackers sometimes place unauthorized instructions in that space. The modification embeds malicious functionality within an existing executable rather than a separate obvious program. – Code Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Code Injection — Code injection occurs when an application treats attacker-controlled input as executable instructions. The attack exploits inadequate separation between data and code. Secure input handling and execution design prevent untrusted material from changing the application’s intended behavior. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Code Signing — Code signing attaches a digital signature to software so recipients can evaluate its source and integrity. Verification detects changes after signing and identifies the associated signing credential. A valid signature does not establish that the software behaves safely. – Software Integrity

Added October 7, 2026

Codification — Codification places a rule or practice into written law. A voluntary business practice becomes legally enforceable when legislation establishes a binding obligation. Converting existing fraud warnings into statutory duties changes accountability even when some platforms already send similar notices. — Legislative Process

Added October 23, 2026

Coercive control trauma — Coercive control trauma describes psychological trauma associated with a pattern of domination restricting another person's autonomy. Surveillance, intimidation, isolation, deprivation, and threats are relevant methods. Its effects arise from continuing entrapment and control rather than one argument. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cognitive Ability — Cognitive ability refers to a person’s capacity to perform mental activities such as learning, remembering, reasoning, and solving problems. Different abilities support different tasks, so difficulty in one area does not establish difficulty in every area. Assessment considers the specific ability involved and the circumstances affecting performance. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Aging — Cognitive aging describes changes in mental functioning across adulthood and later life. Some abilities, such as processing speed, tend to decrease, while accumulated knowledge and vocabulary remain comparatively strong. Cognitive aging differs from dementia and does not automatically indicate a disease. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Analytic Therapy — Cognitive analytic therapy is a psychological treatment that examines recurring patterns in a person’s relationships with others and with themselves. The therapist and client identify how those patterns developed and how they contribute to current difficulties. Treatment emphasizes recognizing problematic patterns and practicing alternative responses. — Psychological Treatment ACAT

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Anthropology — Cognitive anthropology studies how culture influences knowledge, categorization, interpretation, and thought. Researchers examine how communities understand subjects such as family relationships, illness, morality, and social responsibility. The field helps explain why people from different cultural backgrounds interpret similar experiences differently. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Appraisal — Cognitive appraisal is the process through which a person evaluates the meaning and significance of an event. That evaluation includes whether the situation involves danger, loss, opportunity, or a demand on available resources. Appraisal influences emotional responses without necessarily involving a deliberate or fully conscious judgment. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Architecture — Cognitive architecture is a framework describing how mental processes operate together within an organized system. It specifies relationships among functions such as memory, attention, learning, and decision-making. Researchers use cognitive architectures to develop and test explanations of human thinking. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Assessment — Cognitive assessment evaluates mental abilities through interviews, observations, and structured tasks. It examines areas such as memory, attention, language, reasoning, and planning. A qualified professional interprets the findings alongside the person’s history, health, and daily functioning. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Automation — Cognitive automation uses technologies such as machine learning and language processing to perform tasks involving information interpretation or decision support. Examples include sorting documents, identifying patterns, and responding to routine inquiries. The term describes technological functions rather than establishing that a machine possesses human understanding. — Technology Application

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy — Cognitive behavioral therapy is a structured psychological treatment that examines relationships among thoughts, emotions, and behavior. The therapist and client identify patterns that contribute to distress and practice more useful responses. Treatment involves active participation and exercises tailored to the person’s difficulties and goals. — Psychological Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive behavioral therapy — Cognitive behavioral therapy examines relationships among thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It helps a person evaluate interpretations and practice responses that support functioning. Its clinical use requires an approach suited to the individual’s difficulties rather than a demand to replace distress with positive thinking. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Bias — Cognitive bias is a systematic tendency in how a person selects, interprets, or remembers information. Such tendencies sometimes favor an existing belief or a familiar explanation over conflicting evidence. Recognizing a bias helps a person examine a judgment, but awareness alone does not eliminate the bias. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Capacity — Cognitive capacity refers to the mental resources available for processing information and completing tasks. Demands on attention, memory, and reasoning affect how much a person manages at a particular time. Capacity is not identical to intelligence, and a difficult day does not define someone’s overall abilities. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Change — Cognitive change refers to an alteration in mental processes or abilities over time. Changes include improvements, declines, and shifts in how a person approaches a task. Understanding a change requires attention to its duration, context, and effect on everyday functioning. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Clarity — Cognitive clarity describes a subjective sense of thinking clearly and following information without excessive confusion. A person experiencing clarity generally finds it easier to organize ideas and identify the next step. The phrase is descriptive rather than a standardized diagnosis or a precise measure of brain functioning. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Complexity — Cognitive complexity refers to the degree of differentiation and integration in a person’s understanding of a subject. A more complex understanding recognizes several relevant perspectives and relationships among them. Complexity does not automatically produce accuracy, because an elaborate explanation still requires sound evidence. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Computing — Cognitive computing describes computer systems designed to assist tasks involving language, learning, pattern recognition, and reasoning. These systems analyze information and produce responses or recommendations based on their design and training. The term does not establish that the systems experience awareness or think like a human being. — Technology Application

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Control — Cognitive control is the regulation of attention and behavior in support of a goal. It includes maintaining relevant information, resisting competing responses, and adjusting actions when circumstances change. This regulation helps a person follow an intention despite distractions or an immediate impulse. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Decline — Cognitive decline is a reduction in one or more mental abilities compared with a person’s earlier functioning. It involves changes in areas such as memory, attention, language, or reasoning. Persistent decline requires appropriate evaluation rather than an assumption that aging, stress, or trauma fully explains it. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Deficit — Cognitive deficit refers to a limitation or reduced performance in a particular mental ability. The term identifies an area of difficulty, such as remembering information or maintaining attention. It does not describe the person’s worth, character, or complete range of abilities. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Defusion — Cognitive defusion is the practice of relating to thoughts as mental events rather than treating them as unquestionable facts or commands. A person notices a thought such as “Everything is my fault” without automatically accepting its conclusion. The practice changes the relationship with the thought rather than requiring its immediate disappearance. — Psychological Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Development — Cognitive development describes changes in thinking, understanding, learning, and problem-solving across the lifespan. It includes the acquisition of new abilities and changes in how existing abilities operate. Development reflects interactions among biological maturation, experience, education, and social surroundings. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Difficulties — Cognitive difficulties are problems with mental activities such as concentration, remembering information, or organizing a task. These problems interfere with the steps needed to complete ordinary responsibilities. Recognizing their impact supports practical adjustments and appropriate assessment instead of accusations about character. — Cognitive Functioning

Added October 12, 2026

Cognitive Disequilibrium — Cognitive disequilibrium is a state in which new information conflicts with a person’s existing understanding. The conflict creates a need to reconsider an explanation or adjust an established mental framework. In developmental theory, this imbalance contributes to learning through the revision of existing knowledge. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort associated with conflicting beliefs, commitments, or actions. A person sometimes reduces that discomfort by changing behavior, revising a belief, or creating a justification. After deception, the conflict between trusting someone and recognizing their dishonesty illustrates this experience. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Dissonance — Cognitive dissonance describes psychological discomfort associated with inconsistency among beliefs, knowledge, attitudes, or behavior. A survivor experiences this discomfort when evidence of fraud conflicts with a firmly held belief in a relationship. Efforts to reduce the discomfort include revising beliefs, changing behavior, or rationalizing the inconsistency, with different consequences for accepting the facts. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 7, 2026

Cognitive Distortion — Cognitive distortion is an inaccurate or unbalanced pattern of interpretation that contributes to distress. Examples include treating one failure as proof of permanent inadequacy or assuming knowledge of another person’s judgment. Examining the evidence helps distinguish a painful interpretation from an adequately supported conclusion. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Diversity — Cognitive diversity refers to differences in how people perceive problems, process information, and develop solutions. Those differences arise from factors such as experience, expertise, and approaches to reasoning. A group benefits from diversity when its members evaluate different perspectives constructively rather than assuming that every perspective is equally accurate. — Social Cognition

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Efficiency — Cognitive efficiency describes how effectively a person uses mental resources to complete a task. It considers the relationship among effort, time, accuracy, and task demands. Faster performance does not necessarily indicate greater efficiency if it produces errors or overlooks important information. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Effort — Cognitive effort is the mental work invested in understanding information or completing a task. Unfamiliar, complicated, or conflicting material generally requires more effort than familiar material. Effort reflects the demands of the activity and does not directly establish a person’s intelligence. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Elaboration — Cognitive elaboration is the process of expanding information by connecting it with explanations, examples, or existing knowledge. A learner does more than repeat a fact and instead considers its meaning and relationships. Elaboration supports deeper understanding when the connections remain relevant and accurate. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Empathy — Cognitive empathy is the ability to understand another person’s perspective or emotional experience. It involves recognizing what someone thinks or feels without necessarily sharing that feeling. This understanding differs from compassion, because a person also uses knowledge of another’s perspective for manipulation. — Social Cognition

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Engineering — Cognitive engineering applies knowledge about human thinking to the design of tools, systems, and work environments. It examines how people interpret information, make decisions, and respond to demands. Its purpose includes improving usability and reducing errors caused by a mismatch between system design and human capabilities. — Applied Research

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Enhancement — Cognitive enhancement refers to efforts intended to improve mental performance beyond a person’s current level. Approaches include training, environmental changes, and proposed biological or technological interventions. Claims of enhancement require evidence that identifies the abilities improved, the duration of improvement, and associated risks. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Ergonomics — Cognitive ergonomics examines how mental processes interact with tasks, equipment, and working conditions. It addresses subjects such as workload, decision-making, usability, and human error. A clear interface that reduces unnecessary demands on attention illustrates its practical application. — Applied Research

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Ethology — Cognitive ethology studies animals’ mental processes in relation to their behavior and natural environments. Researchers investigate activities such as navigation, communication, memory, and problem-solving. The field connects questions about animal cognition with the ecological circumstances in which those abilities operate. — Research Discipline digitalcommons.unl.edu

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Evaluation Theory — Cognitive evaluation theory explains how social conditions influence intrinsic motivation, or engagement in an activity for its inherent satisfaction. It emphasizes experiences of autonomy and competence. Within self-determination theory, it examines how feedback, rewards, and controlling conditions affect those experiences. — Motivation Theory selfdeterminationtheory.org

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fatigue — Cognitive fatigue describes mental tiredness associated with sustained cognitive activity or other burdens on mental functioning. A person experiences reduced willingness or ability to maintain demanding attention and effort. It differs from a simple lack of motivation and requires consideration of workload, rest, and relevant health factors. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Film Theory — Cognitive film theory examines how viewers perceive, understand, remember, and emotionally respond to films. It draws on research about mental processes to explain experiences such as following a plot or identifying with a character. The approach studies how cinematic techniques interact with the viewer’s attention and interpretation. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Flexibility — Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust thinking or behavior when information, goals, or circumstances change. It includes considering alternative explanations and moving between different approaches to a problem. Flexibility supports revising a conclusion without treating that revision as a personal failure. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fluency — Cognitive fluency is the subjective ease with which a person processes information. Familiar wording, repetition, and clear presentation generally make information feel easier to process. That ease does not establish truth, even when a smoothly presented claim feels convincing. — Cognitive Experience

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Function — Cognitive function refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring, understanding, using, and retaining information. These processes include attention, memory, language, perception, and reasoning. Different functions work together during everyday activities such as reading instructions or planning an appointment. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Fusion — Cognitive fusion describes becoming closely entangled with thoughts and treating their content as literal truth or a demand for action. A person experiencing fusion responds to “I am worthless” as though it were an established fact. Psychological approaches addressing fusion emphasize creating distance between a thought and the response to it. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Grammar — Cognitive grammar is a linguistic framework that explains grammar through meaning and general cognitive processes. It treats grammatical structures as meaningful patterns rather than a completely separate system of rules. The framework examines how language reflects attention, perspective, categorization, and conceptualization. — Language Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Hypothesis Testing — Cognitive hypothesis testing describes forming a possible explanation and evaluating it against available evidence. A person compares what the explanation predicts with what observations actually show. Sound testing includes looking for evidence that challenges the explanation rather than collecting only supportive information. — Reasoning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive immunization — Cognitive immunization describes a process that preserves negative expectations by dismissing contradictory experiences. A person explains away a respectful response or successful effort so that the original belief remains unchanged. Recognizing this process helps the survivor examine whether contrary evidence receives a fair evaluation. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Impairment — Cognitive impairment is difficulty in one or more mental functions that exceeds what is expected in the relevant context. It affects abilities such as memory, attention, language, or judgment. The term describes a problem requiring further understanding and does not identify its cause by itself. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Inhibition — Cognitive inhibition is the suppression of irrelevant information or competing mental responses. It helps a person keep distracting material from interfering with a current task. Inhibition differs from avoiding emotions because its central function involves selecting what is relevant to ongoing mental activity. — Executive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interference — Cognitive interference occurs when competing thoughts or information disrupt performance on a task. Worry during reading, for example, competes with attention needed to understand the text. The term describes interference with processing rather than proving that the underlying ability has been lost. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interviewing — Cognitive interviewing refers to methods that explore or support the mental processes involved in answering questions or recalling information. In eyewitness interviewing, structured retrieval methods assist recall, while survey researchers use the term for examining how respondents understand questions. The relevant setting determines which method the term describes. — Interview Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Interviewing Technique — A cognitive interviewing technique is a specific procedure used within a cognitive interviewing approach. Examples include mentally reinstating the context of an event or asking a survey respondent to explain an answer. The technique supports a defined interviewing purpose and does not guarantee that every recalled detail is accurate. — Interview Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Justice — Cognitive justice is the principle that different knowledge traditions deserve recognition and meaningful participation in the production of knowledge. It challenges the automatic exclusion of local, Indigenous, and other marginalized perspectives. Recognition of those perspectives does not remove the need to evaluate factual claims and their practical consequences. — Social and Ethical Framework mdpi.com

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Learning — Cognitive learning emphasizes acquiring knowledge through mental activities such as attention, interpretation, memory, and reasoning. The learner connects information with existing understanding rather than relying only on repetition. This approach considers how information becomes meaningful and usable. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Learning Theory — Cognitive learning theory explains learning through changes in knowledge, mental representations, and information processing. It examines how learners attend to material, organize it, remember it, and apply it. The term covers several related theoretical approaches rather than one universally accepted explanation. — Learning Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Linguistics — Cognitive linguistics studies language as part of broader human cognition. It examines relationships among language, meaning, categorization, experience, and conceptual structure. Researchers investigate how people use language to organize and communicate their understanding of the world. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Load — Cognitive load is the demand placed on working memory during a task. Following unfamiliar instructions while handling interruptions creates greater demands than completing one clearly explained step at a time. Understanding load helps explain why task design matters alongside the learner’s abilities. — Cognitive Demand

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Load Theory — Cognitive load theory explains how the limited capacity of working memory influences learning. It examines the demands created by the material itself and by the way that material is presented. Instruction informed by the theory reduces unnecessary processing and organizes learning into manageable elements. — Learning Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Map — A cognitive map is a mental representation of spatial relationships or, more broadly, relationships within a conceptual environment. A person uses such a representation to understand locations, routes, or connections. The representation supports navigation or reasoning without necessarily matching every detail of the actual environment. — Mental Representation

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Mapping — Cognitive mapping is the process of developing or expressing a cognitive map. It includes learning how places connect and representing relationships among ideas or beliefs. Researchers also use mapping methods to examine how individuals understand a situation. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Mediation — Cognitive mediation describes the role of mental interpretation in connecting an event with a response. A person’s beliefs, expectations, or appraisal help explain why the event leads to a particular emotion or behavior. The concept does not imply that external circumstances are unimportant or that distress is imaginary. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Model — A cognitive model is a structured explanation of how mental processes contribute to a particular behavior or experience. It identifies proposed relationships among factors such as attention, beliefs, memory, and decision-making. Researchers and practitioners use models to organize evidence and develop testable predictions. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive model of PTSD — The cognitive model of PTSD described by Ehlers and Clark explains persistent distress through interpretations and memory processes that sustain a sense of current threat. Negative meanings assigned to a traumatic experience influence how the person understands present circumstances. The model does not establish that every scam victim has PTSD. — Psychological Models

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Neuropsychology — Cognitive neuropsychology examines mental processes through patterns of preserved and impaired abilities, particularly following brain damage or neurological illness. Researchers use those patterns to investigate how cognitive functions are organized. The field contributes to theories of normal cognition as well as understanding particular difficulties. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Neuroscience — Cognitive neuroscience studies how brain processes support mental activities such as memory, attention, language, and decision-making. It combines methods from psychology, neuroscience, and related disciplines. Findings connect mental functioning with biological processes without reducing a person’s experience to a single brain region. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Offloading — Cognitive offloading is the use of external tools or actions to reduce demands on internal mental processing. Writing an appointment in a calendar or using a checklist provides an external support for memory. Offloading is a practical strategy and does not itself indicate a cognitive disorder. — Cognitive Strategy

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Overload — Cognitive overload occurs when a task places greater demands on mental processing than a person effectively manages at that moment. Confusion, missed steps, and difficulty retaining information are possible signs. Reducing simultaneous demands and simplifying instructions addresses the task burden without assigning blame to the person. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Penetration — Cognitive penetration is the proposed influence of beliefs, expectations, or other cognitive states on perceptual experience itself. The concept differs from interpreting or judging something after perceiving it. Researchers and philosophers debate its extent and how to distinguish it from effects involving attention, memory, or judgment. — Perception Theory plato.stanford.edu

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Performance — Cognitive performance is how a person carries out a mental task under particular conditions. It includes observable results such as accuracy, speed, and completion. Performance reflects both underlying abilities and circumstances such as distraction, fatigue, and task familiarity. — Cognitive Function

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Plasticity — Cognitive plasticity is the capacity for mental functioning to change through experience, learning, and adaptation. It includes changes in strategies and improvements in particular abilities. Plasticity does not mean that every difficulty is reversible or that every form of practice produces broad improvement. — Cognitive Development

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Poetics — Cognitive poetics examines how mental processes contribute to the experience and interpretation of literature. It considers subjects such as metaphor, imagery, perspective, and the reader’s construction of meaning. The field connects literary analysis with research and theory about language and cognition. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Pragmatics — Cognitive pragmatics studies the mental processes involved in understanding language within a particular context. It examines how listeners infer intentions and meanings beyond the literal words spoken. Understanding an indirect request or recognizing what a speaker implies illustrates the processes it investigates. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing — Cognitive processing refers to the mental operations through which a person receives, interprets, organizes, stores, and uses information. These operations involve interacting abilities rather than one isolated function. The term applies to activities such as understanding a message, recognizing a pattern, or evaluating a choice. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing Therapy — Cognitive processing therapy is a structured treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder that addresses distressing beliefs associated with trauma. The therapist helps the person examine conclusions involving subjects such as blame, safety, trust, and control. Treatment supports more balanced interpretations without denying the reality of the traumatic event. — Psychological Treatment ptsd.va.gov

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Processing Therapy — Cognitive Processing Therapy is a trauma-focused treatment that examines beliefs connected to traumatic experiences. It addresses areas such as safety, trust, control, esteem, and intimacy. A qualified clinician assesses whether the treatment fits the survivor’s symptoms and helps examine conclusions that extend beyond the evidence. — Therapeutic Approaches

Added October 14, 2026

Cognitive Psychology — Cognitive psychology studies mental processes such as attention, memory, perception, language, reasoning, and problem-solving. Researchers investigate how people acquire and use information. The field provides evidence about thinking processes rather than evaluating a person’s moral character or worth. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reappraisal — Cognitive reappraisal is the reinterpretation of a situation to change its emotional significance. A person examines whether an initial meaning accurately reflects the available information. Reappraisal differs from pretending that harm did not occur because it seeks a more useful and evidence-based understanding. — Emotional Regulation Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Recovery — Cognitive recovery describes improvement in mental functioning following a period of difficulty, illness, injury, or disruption. Progress includes changes such as clearer attention, better memory, or more effective planning. The term describes an outcome or process rather than a single treatment with a fixed timeline. — Recovery Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reflection — Cognitive reflection is the tendency or ability to reconsider an immediate answer before accepting it. A person pauses to examine whether an intuitive response withstands further reasoning. Reflection supports deliberate judgment but does not guarantee that the final conclusion will be correct. — Reasoning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rehabilitation — Cognitive rehabilitation is a structured approach to improving everyday functioning affected by cognitive difficulties. It combines strategies aimed at strengthening skills with methods that compensate for persistent limitations. Goals focus on meaningful activities such as managing appointments, completing work, or following daily routines. — Rehabilitation Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy — Cognitive rehabilitation therapy is the delivery of planned therapeutic interventions for cognitive difficulties. Practitioners select exercises, compensatory strategies, and environmental adaptations according to assessed needs. The phrase substantially overlaps with cognitive rehabilitation and emphasizes its provision as a treatment service. — Psychological and Rehabilitation Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Remediation — Cognitive remediation uses structured practice and strategies to improve targeted cognitive skills. Programs address areas such as attention, memory, or executive functioning and sometimes include support for applying skills in daily life. Improvement on a practiced exercise does not automatically establish improvement across unrelated activities. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reserve — Cognitive reserve refers to the adaptability of cognitive processes that helps explain differences in functioning despite comparable brain changes. It concerns how efficiently or flexibly a person uses available mental resources. The concept does not mean that someone is immune to neurological disease or other cognitive difficulties. — Cognitive Resilience Framework

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Reserve Hypothesis — The cognitive reserve hypothesis proposes that differences in cognitive adaptability help explain why similar brain pathology produces different levels of impairment. Researchers examine factors such as education, occupation, and mentally engaging experiences in relation to reserve. The hypothesis describes a framework for explaining variation rather than a guarantee of protection for an individual. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Resilience — Cognitive resilience describes maintaining or regaining effective mental functioning despite adversity or disruption. Depending on the research context, it involves adaptation to stress, aging, illness, or brain changes. The term does not imply that a resilient person never struggles or requires assistance. — Recovery Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Restructuring — Cognitive restructuring is a structured method for identifying, evaluating, and revising unhelpful interpretations. A person examines the evidence for a thought and develops a more balanced alternative. The method does not require replacing every painful thought with a positive statement. — Psychological Skill

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Rigidity — Cognitive rigidity is difficulty adjusting a belief, strategy, or response when circumstances or evidence change. A person continues using the same approach despite information indicating that another approach is needed. The term describes a pattern of thinking rather than a complete or permanent identity. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Schema — A cognitive schema is an organized mental framework that helps a person interpret information and anticipate what happens next. Schemas develop through learning and experience and influence what a person notices or remembers. A schema becomes problematic when it repeatedly imposes an inaccurate interpretation on new situations. — Mental Representation

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Science — Cognitive science is the interdisciplinary study of minds, intelligence, and information processing. It draws on psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, philosophy, computer science, and anthropology. The field investigates cognition across several levels rather than relying on one disciplinary explanation. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Screening — Cognitive screening is a brief evaluation used to identify signs of possible cognitive difficulty. Screening tools sample selected abilities and help determine whether further assessment is appropriate. A screening result does not establish a complete diagnosis or explain the cause of a difficulty. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Semantics — Cognitive semantics studies meaning through conceptual structures and broader cognitive processes. It examines how experience, categorization, metaphor, and perspective shape language understanding. The approach treats meaning as connected to human conceptualization rather than solely to dictionary definitions. — Language Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Sociology — Cognitive sociology studies how social life shapes thinking, perception, memory, and categorization. It examines shared assumptions and mental practices within groups, institutions, and communities. The field explains how understanding reflects social participation as well as individual mental activity. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Stimulation — Cognitive stimulation involves activities that engage several mental abilities through meaningful participation. Examples include discussion, word activities, practical tasks, and shared problem-solving. It differs from narrowly targeted training because it generally emphasizes broad engagement rather than repeated practice of one skill. — Cognitive Intervention

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Strategy — A cognitive strategy is a deliberate approach used to support thinking, learning, remembering, or problem-solving. Examples include grouping related information, summarizing a lesson, and checking an answer against evidence. The usefulness of a strategy depends on its fit with the task and the person’s needs. — Cognitive Strategy

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Style — Cognitive style refers to a characteristic way of approaching information and mental tasks. It concerns preferences or tendencies in processing rather than a fixed level of ability. The concept does not establish that a person learns effectively only through one presentation format. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Symptoms — Cognitive symptoms are experienced or observed difficulties involving mental functions such as attention, memory, language, or reasoning. A person reports symptoms through examples such as losing track of instructions or struggling to find words. The symptoms require contextual understanding because different conditions produce similar complaints. — Cognitive Difficulty

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Task — A cognitive task is an activity that requires mental processing to achieve an objective. Reading a paragraph, comparing prices, remembering a name, and planning a route are examples. The particular task determines which abilities and resources are most relevant. — Cognitive Activity

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Task Analysis — Cognitive task analysis is a systematic method for identifying the knowledge and mental processes required to perform a task. Researchers examine decisions, judgments, attention demands, and strategies used by experienced performers. Findings inform training, system design, and the identification of potential errors. — Assessment and Design Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Testing — Cognitive testing uses structured tasks to measure selected mental abilities. Tests examine functions such as memory, processing speed, reasoning, or attention under specified conditions. Interpretation considers the person’s background and the test’s limitations rather than relying on a score alone. — Assessment Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Therapy — Cognitive therapy is a psychological treatment that emphasizes the relationship between interpretations and emotional or behavioral difficulties. The therapist and client examine beliefs and evaluate them against evidence and experience. The approach includes practical methods for developing more balanced thinking and useful behavior. — Psychological Treatment

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Training — Cognitive training involves repeated, structured practice intended to improve particular mental abilities. Exercises target functions such as attention, memory, or processing speed. Gains on trained activities do not establish that all everyday cognitive abilities improve to the same degree. — Cognitive Intervention National Institute on Aging

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Transfer — Cognitive transfer is the application of learning or skills from one task or setting to another. Near transfer involves similar tasks, while far transfer involves more substantially different activities. Claims of transfer require evidence beyond improved performance on the original exercise. — Learning Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Unconscious — The cognitive unconscious refers to mental processing that occurs outside conscious awareness. Such processing includes aspects of perception, learned associations, and automatic information handling. The concept differs from treating every unconscious process as a hidden wish or repressed memory. — Cognitive Process

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Vulnerability — Cognitive vulnerability refers to patterns of thinking or information processing associated with greater susceptibility to a particular difficulty. Examples include persistent negative interpretations or strong sensitivity to specific types of information. Vulnerability is a risk-related concept and does not establish that harm is inevitable or the person is responsible for it. — Vulnerability Factor

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Walkthrough — A cognitive walkthrough is a usability evaluation method that examines the steps a person takes to complete a task. Evaluators consider whether users recognize the appropriate action and understand the resulting feedback. The method identifies design obstacles, particularly those affecting a new or unfamiliar user. — Assessment and Design Method

Added October 3, 2026

Cognitive Workload — Cognitive workload is the mental demand associated with completing an activity under particular conditions. It reflects interactions among task complexity, time pressure, available support, and the person’s resources. Evaluating workload helps identify when a task requires redesign or additional assistance. — Cognitive Demand

Added October 3, 2026

Coherence — Coherence preserves the phase relationships that distinguish quantum superpositions from ordinary probabilistic mixtures. Quantum computations rely on these relationships to produce useful interference. Uncontrolled interactions and noise degrade coherence and reduce the reliability of intended operations. – Quantum Properties

Added October 7, 2026

Coherent Guidance — Coherent guidance provides a consistent direction for recovery rather than conflicting instructions. A therapist and an established support provider contribute within their respective roles. Clear guidance helps a survivor understand the next step and discuss obstacles without repeatedly changing approaches. — Support and Treatment

Added October 12, 2026

Cold Poke — A cold poke is a prepared wallet, packet, or apparent bundle of valuables that supports a confidence trick. The contents create an impression of value that exceeds what the target will actually receive. A substitution or deceptive presentation allows the offenders to exchange worthless material for genuine money. – Confidence-Game Prop

Added October 7, 2026

Collaborative planning — Collaborative planning involves the survivor and supporter developing a practical response together. The survivor participates in selecting the action, timing, and assistance required. This shared process respects personal choice while connecting support conversations with manageable activity outside the meeting. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Collapse of confidence — Collapse of confidence describes a sharp loss of belief in personal competence after a setback. A survivor interprets one disappointing financial outcome as evidence that their judgment is permanently damaged. Rebuilding confidence requires addressing the particular difficulty without allowing it to define every future decision. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Collapse of routine — Collapse of routine occurs when established daily activities lose their timing, consistency, or organizing purpose. Job loss or another crisis disrupts the structure supporting sleep, meals, contact, and responsibilities. Restoring dependable activities becomes an immediate recovery priority because unstructured days leave more room for repetitive distress. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Collectibles Investment Scam — A collectibles investment scam markets objects using fabricated scarcity, provenance, or resale prospects. The promoter treats uncertain or nonexistent demand as reliable profit. Buyers pay inflated prices or purchase objects that never arrive. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Collective Attachment — Collective attachment describes the shared emotional connection that members develop toward a community and its relationships. Members value the group as a source of belonging, continuity, and mutual support. This connection strengthens participation, but it also creates conflict when members treat their shared attachment as a right to control the community. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Collective Judgment — Collective judgment involves evaluating information with contributions from several people rather than relying on one person’s interpretation. Different observers contribute knowledge, questions, and perspectives that expose overlooked problems. A group strengthens judgment when its members examine evidence rather than simply reinforce one another’s assumptions. — Social Protection

Added October 3, 2026

Collective Psychological Ownership — Collective psychological ownership describes a shared feeling that a community, place, or other valued resource belongs to a particular group. Members support this belief through their contributions, shared history, or earlier involvement. This feeling encourages responsibility for the community, while exclusive ownership claims create disputes about who has the right to make decisions. — Psychological Mechanism

Added October 6, 2026

Collective trauma — Collective trauma describes a shared disruption affecting a group's security, identity, or social life after overwhelming events. War, mass violence, and catastrophic disasters are examples. Individual members experience different effects even when the event becomes part of a shared history. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Colonial trauma — Colonial trauma describes psychological and collective harm associated with colonization and its continuing consequences. Forced displacement, cultural suppression, family separation, and organized violence are relevant experiences. The term connects historical processes with contemporary distress and disrupted identity. — Historical context.

Added October 5, 2026

COM Hijacking — COM hijacking manipulates Windows Component Object Model registrations or related resolution behavior. Applications then load an attacker-selected component instead of the intended one. Attackers use this redirection for unauthorized execution or continued access. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

COM Hijacking — COM hijacking abuses Windows Component Object Model registration or loading arrangements. The attacker redirects a legitimate application toward an unauthorized component. The technique supports execution or persistence within trusted software activity. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Combat trauma — Combat trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with participation in or direct exposure to combat. Threatened death, witnessed casualties, and violent encounters are central contexts. It is an exposure description rather than a synonym for every form of military distress. — Conflict context.

Added October 5, 2026

Combo List — A combo list contains paired account identifiers and passwords. Criminals assemble these lists from stolen data and other sources. Buyers use them for account access attempts, validation, and related credential abuse. – Stolen Credential Products

Added October 7, 2026

Combo List — A combo list contains paired identifiers and passwords, commonly from stolen or leaked information. Criminals trade these collections for account attacks. Reused passwords make older combinations useful against services beyond the original source. – Stolen Credential Data

Added October 7, 2026

Command and Control — Command and control describes the infrastructure and communications an attacker uses to direct compromised systems. Those channels deliver instructions and often transfer stolen information. Defenders investigate unusual communications to identify compromised devices and disrupt the attacker’s operations. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Command Injection — Command injection occurs when software allows untrusted input to alter commands that an operating system or interpreter executes. Attackers exploit weak separation between input and command structure. Safer interfaces and strict execution controls reduce this risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Commercial exploitation — Commercial exploitation occurs when a business takes unfair advantage of a person’s circumstances or vulnerabilities to generate revenue. In paid companionship, the concern centers on using emotional attachment to encourage purchases. Charging for a service alone does not establish exploitation without attention to the surrounding practices. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Commercial power imbalance — A commercial power imbalance exists when a provider controls important conditions that an emotionally invested customer does not control. These conditions include access, pricing, memory features, and changes to the companion. The imbalance becomes especially consequential when the customer experiences the service as a personal relationship. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Commercial Spyware — Commercial spyware is surveillance software that vendors sell to customers. Its capabilities include monitoring communications and accessing device information. Abuse occurs when operators deploy it against people without legitimate authority or appropriate safeguards. – Surveillance Software

Added October 7, 2026

Commercial Spyware — Commercial spyware is surveillance software that vendors sell or license to customers. Its capabilities include monitoring communications, activity, and device information. Unauthorized or abusive deployment violates privacy and supports coercion, espionage, or exploitation. – Surveillance Tools

Added October 7, 2026

Commitment and Consistency — Commitment and consistency describe the tendency to align current actions with earlier decisions or stated positions. A person who has invested trust, time, or money sometimes feels pressure to maintain that commitment despite contradictory information. Recognizing this pressure helps distinguish a previous choice from a present obligation to continue. — Psychological Influence

Added October 3, 2026

Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures — Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, or CVE, provides standardized identifiers for publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. A CVE record helps different organizations discuss the same weakness consistently. The identifier itself does not express severity or establish an organization’s exposure. – Vulnerability Management

Added October 7, 2026

Common Vulnerability Scoring System — The Common Vulnerability Scoring System, or CVSS, provides a structured method for describing vulnerability severity. Its metrics address characteristics such as exploitation conditions and technical impacts. Organizations combine these scores with operational context because severity alone does not establish overall risk. – Vulnerability Assessment first.org

Added October 7, 2026

Community boundaries — Community boundaries are the rules that define acceptable conduct and the limits of participation within a support setting. They address behavior such as harassment, threats, unauthorized financial requests, and repeated violations. Leaders apply these boundaries to identifiable conduct rather than treating distress or disagreement as misconduct. — Community Governance

Added October 16, 2026

Community trauma — Community trauma refers to trauma affecting people within a connected neighborhood or community. Violence, disaster, or repeated victimization disrupts relationships and expectations of safety. The concept includes both individual distress and damage to community life. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Community violence trauma — Community violence trauma describes psychological trauma associated with violence occurring in a person's surrounding community. Direct victimization, witnessing violence, and repeated exposure to serious threat are relevant pathways. It affects expectations of safety in everyday public life. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Company-Reported Misuse — Company-reported misuse refers to improper activity identified and disclosed by a crowdfunding platform. Its meaning depends on the company’s definitions, detection practices, and reporting methods. A reported percentage should not be treated as a complete measurement of all fraud without sufficient information about how it was produced. — Research and Evidence

Added September 30, 2026

Compassionate Donors — Compassionate donors contribute because they want to relieve suffering or support people facing hardship. Fraudulent campaigns exploit that motivation through fabricated emergencies, misleading photographs, or false accounts of need. Their willingness to help deserves respect, while independent verification helps protect both their money and intended beneficiaries. — Targeted Group

Added September 30, 2026

Compelled repetition — Compelled repetition describes feeling driven to perform the ritual again until it feels right. This pattern differs from completing one chosen action and accepting the feelings that follow. The survivor stops the exercise and discusses the response with a therapist when repetition becomes a demand. — Recovery Monitoring

Added October 18, 2026

Compensating Control — A compensating control addresses a security requirement through an alternative measure when the preferred measure is impractical. It should provide suitable protection against the relevant risk. Organizations document its rationale, limitations, and continued effectiveness rather than treating it as a permanent exemption. – Security Control

Added October 7, 2026

Compensation eligibility — Compensation eligibility means meeting a program’s requirements for financial assistance with qualifying crime-related expenses. Rules and covered expenses differ among programs. A police report does not automatically establish eligibility or guarantee reimbursement of money lost through fraud. — Victim Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Competing Needs — Competing needs are simultaneous emotional demands that pull behavior in different directions. A survivor seeks escape from present suffering while longing for a secure future. Understanding both demands explains why expressed hope and deteriorating daily care sometimes exist together. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Complete message export — A complete message export preserves an available conversation record outside its original messaging display. It contributes to documenting what happened alongside original files and relevant screenshots. The survivor checks that the saved record opens and contains the intended information before changing access to everyday reminders. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Complex trauma — Complex trauma describes repeated, pervasive traumatic experiences and their interacting psychological consequences. Interpersonal abuse and profound neglect are important examples, especially during development. The term describes an exposure and impact pattern and is distinct from a formal diagnosis of complex PTSD. [Source](https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/complex-trauma) — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Complex trauma framework — Complex trauma framework organizes understanding of interacting consequences following repeated or pervasive traumatic experiences. It considers exposure patterns, regulation, relationships, self-concept, and functioning. Specific frameworks differ and should not be treated as interchangeable with complex PTSD criteria. — Conceptual framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Compromised Account Marketplace — A compromised account marketplace trades accounts that unauthorized parties control. Sellers advertise characteristics such as permissions, location, and account history. Buyers acquire existing identities for fraud, intrusion, or deceptive communications. – Criminal Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Compromised Account Marketplace — A compromised account marketplace sells access to accounts that criminals have taken over. Listings describe services, account properties, or associated value. Buyers exploit the accounts for impersonation, theft, spam, or additional attacks. – Underground Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Compromised Infrastructure — Compromised infrastructure consists of legitimate systems that attackers control without authorization. Criminals use these resources to host content, relay traffic, or conduct further attacks. The legitimate owner’s identity helps conceal the operator’s activity. – Criminal Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Compromised Infrastructure — Compromised infrastructure consists of systems or services that attackers control without authorization. Criminals use these resources to host content, relay communications, or conduct attacks. Their use also shifts operational costs and exposure onto legitimate owners. – Criminal Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Computational Basis — The computational basis provides the standard zero and one reference states for each qubit. Multiple qubits have corresponding basis states expressed as binary strings. Quantum circuits commonly prepare, manipulate, and measure information relative to this basis. – State Representation

Added October 7, 2026

Con Game — A con game is a shortened expression for a confidence game. The operator uses deceptive claims and manufactured credibility to obtain something of value. The term covers both brief encounters and complex schemes involving sustained manipulation. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Concentration Difficulties — Concentration difficulties involve trouble sustaining attention on information or an activity. A survivor loses track of instructions or struggles to remain focused on paperwork. Shorter tasks, written information, and discussion with a professional help address the practical impact. — Cognitive Functioning

Added October 12, 2026

Concert Ticket Scam — A concert ticket scam sells nonexistent, invalid, duplicated, or misrepresented admission rights. The seller uses urgent availability and attractive pricing. Buyers lose money and discover the tickets do not provide the promised entry. – Ticketing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Conditional affection — Conditional affection describes a demand that links apparent care or attachment to compliance. A person presents payment or another action as necessary to prove love or preserve the relationship. Recognizing this condition helps a survivor examine the demand separately from the fear of losing affection. — Pressure Tactics

Added October 17, 2026

Confidence Game — A confidence game obtains money or another benefit by gaining and then abusing someone’s trust. The offender constructs a believable relationship, opportunity, or situation that encourages participation. The resulting transaction serves the offender’s concealed purpose rather than the arrangement the target understood. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Confidence Man — A confidence man is an offender who develops trust as a means of defrauding another person. He presents himself as credible, helpful, knowledgeable, or personally connected to the target. The historical term describes a criminal role, while contemporary confidence operators include people of every gender. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Confidence Trick — A confidence trick uses a persuasive deception to induce someone to surrender money, property, information, or access. The offender supplies apparent reasons to trust the proposed action. The target’s cooperation follows a false understanding that the offender deliberately created. – Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Confidentiality — Confidentiality protects information against unauthorized access or disclosure. Organizations apply access restrictions, encryption, and handling procedures to preserve this protection. Confidentiality concerns who receives information, while other security objectives address its accuracy and continued availability. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Configuration Management — Configuration management tracks and controls the settings and components of systems. It helps organizations maintain approved arrangements and understand changes over time. Security benefits include fewer unintended exposures, clearer accountability, and more reliable restoration after problems. – Security Administration

Added October 7, 2026

Confirmation Bias — Confirmation bias is the tendency to favor information supporting an existing belief while discounting information that challenges it. A person who trusts an online contact sometimes interprets suspicious details in ways that preserve that trust. Deliberately examining contradictory evidence supports a more balanced assessment. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Congress.gov — Congress.gov is the official website for United States federal legislative information, maintained by the Library of Congress. It provides bill texts, summaries, legislative actions, voting information, and congressional records. Its status information helps readers distinguish proposed legislation from legislation that has become law. Scam victims and advocates use it to examine federal proposals and laws concerning fraud, consumer protection, and victim assistance. — Government Legislative Research Resource Library of Congress

Added October 2, 2026

Congressional Budget Office — The Congressional Budget Office provides Congress with budgetary and economic analysis of proposed legislation. Its cost estimates examine expected federal spending and other financial effects. A low estimated compliance cost does not establish that a law offers comprehensive protection or eliminates the underlying crime. — Legislative Process

Added October 23, 2026

Considered Response — A considered response follows examination of the situation, relevant facts, and likely consequences. It gives feelings attention without allowing urgency to determine the entire decision. The response addresses an actual need through an action that fits the circumstances. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Constructed relationship — A constructed relationship is an apparent personal bond that criminals build through deception. The survivor experiences genuine attachment while the criminal supplies a fabricated identity, scripted affection, and false promises. Discovery brings grief for both the believed relationship and the future organized around it. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Constructive feedback — Constructive feedback identifies a specific behavior, explains its consequences, and supports a useful next step. It helps survivors examine decisions without turning a difficulty into a judgment about personal worth. Effective feedback combines direct guidance with respect and an opportunity for clarification. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Consumer app credits — Consumer app credits are purchasing units that a platform uses to charge for particular activities or features. They differ from the technical tokens that language models process. A customer must translate the credit price of an interaction into money to understand its actual financial cost. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Consumer protection — Consumer protection concerns the safeguards that address unfair, deceptive, or harmful business practices. Relevant issues include honest representations, understandable prices, and reasonable cancellation procedures. Paid companionship raises additional concerns when providers use emotional pressure to influence a customer’s financial decisions. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Consumer redress — Consumer redress provides a remedy for customers affected by harmful or unlawful business practices. Financial redress includes money designated to compensate affected consumers. A settlement that provides redress addresses particular practices and does not automatically establish that every activity of the business involves deception. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Container Escape — A container escape breaks the isolation intended to restrict software within a container. The attacker reaches resources outside the container’s authorized environment. The impact depends on host permissions and the surrounding infrastructure. – Isolation Bypass

Added October 7, 2026

Container Escape — A container escape crosses the intended boundary between a container and its host environment. An attacker gains access beyond the container’s authorized scope. The resulting compromise threatens other workloads and underlying infrastructure. – Isolation Bypass

Added October 7, 2026

Container Security — Container security protects packaged applications and the environments that run them. It addresses image contents, privileges, runtime behavior, and shared infrastructure. Organizations reduce risk by controlling dependencies, limiting permissions, and maintaining both containers and their underlying hosts. – Infrastructure Security

Added October 7, 2026

Content Injection — Content injection inserts unauthorized material into an application, communication, or displayed page. Attackers alter what recipients see or trust. The injected material supports deception, redirection, or further exploitation. – Content Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Content Injection — Content injection inserts unauthorized material into a page, communication, or displayed resource. Attackers alter what people see or interact with. The manipulation supports deception, harmful downloads, or unauthorized changes to application behavior. – Content Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Content Security Policy — Content Security Policy allows a website to instruct browsers about permitted content sources and related behavior. The policy helps restrict unauthorized scripts and other risky content. Effective policies supplement secure coding rather than replacing corrections for underlying application vulnerabilities. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Continuing grief — Continuing grief describes sadness and other feelings that remain after the symbolic farewell. These feelings do not invalidate the survivor’s decision or establish that the ceremony failed. Recovery allows acknowledgment of the loss without imposing a deadline for emotional change. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Continuity of support — Continuity of support is the organized connection between successive conversations, agreed actions, and appropriate services. Clear summaries, necessary records, and follow-up help supporters maintain that connection. Continuity also requires realistic commitments that match the organization’s responsibilities and available resources. — Care Coordination

Added October 16, 2026

Continuous Monitoring — Continuous monitoring maintains ongoing awareness of security conditions through recurring or automated observation. It examines assets, configurations, threats, and control performance. The approach helps organizations detect changes promptly and respond before weaknesses develop into larger incidents. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Contrary evidence — Contrary evidence is information that challenges an existing expectation or conclusion. A thoughtful response contradicts a prediction of automatic dismissal, while a completed task challenges a prediction that effort accomplishes nothing. Accurate judgment acknowledges what the evidence demonstrates without exaggerating it into a guarantee about the future. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Contrast Avoidance Model — The Contrast Avoidance Model explains worry as a way of maintaining negative emotion to avoid a sudden shift from feeling good to feeling bad. Emotional discomfort becomes familiar, while unexpected disappointment feels especially threatening. Its application to some survivors offers an interpretation of coping rather than a separate scam-related diagnosis. — Psychological Models

Added October 14, 2026

Contribution Quality — Contribution quality describes the usefulness, relevance, and care that members bring to community discussions. In a recovery community, thoughtful contributions support understanding, respect established boundaries, and help other members participate meaningfully. The quality of a contribution depends on its value to the community rather than the contributor’s popularity or length of membership. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Controlled Entities — Controlled entities are organizations whose decisions or operations another party directs. Control and ownership describe different relationships, even when they overlap. OFAC’s 50 Percent Rule concerns ownership, so control alone does not automatically trigger blocking under that particular rule. — Financial Sanctions Office of Foreign Assets Control

Added October 11, 2026

Controlled Laboratory Conditions — Controlled laboratory conditions are research settings in which investigators regulate selected features of a task or situation. Participants receive standardized instructions, materials, or exposure so researchers identify relationships among the factors being studied. Results require careful interpretation before application to prolonged, emotionally involving criminal deception. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

Controlled-NOT Gate — A controlled-NOT gate flips a target qubit when its control qubit occupies the one basis state. Its action extends consistently to superpositions of the control states. The gate supports entanglement generation and many multiqubit computations. – Quantum Gates

Added October 7, 2026

Controlled-Z Gate — A controlled-Z gate changes the sign of the amplitude associated with the two-qubit state in which both qubits equal one. It leaves the other computational basis states unchanged. The resulting phase change supports entanglement and interference within quantum circuits. – Quantum Gates

Added October 7, 2026

Controlling behavior — Controlling behavior involves demands that restrict a victim’s time, attention, or contact with others. A scammer questions absences, expects constant availability, or acts possessively to maintain influence. These demands place the criminal at the center of the victim’s daily life and weaken outside connections. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Conversation history — Conversation history consists of earlier exchanges retained or supplied within a chatbot interaction. It gives the system information about previous disclosures, preferences, and discussions. Responses that draw on this history strengthen the impression that the companion remembers and understands the person. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Conversation limits — Conversation limits restrict the amount or duration of interaction available under a service arrangement. They interrupt access when the user reaches the applicable allowance. An attached person sometimes experiences that interruption as a threatened separation rather than an ordinary product restriction. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Convincer — A convincer is an event, payment, demonstration, or other apparent proof that makes a fraudulent claim seem credible. An offender supplies an initial success to strengthen the target’s confidence. The apparent proof supports the larger deception rather than independently establishing that the opportunity is genuine. – Credibility-Building Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

Cookie Replay — Cookie replay reuses a captured browser cookie to reproduce an associated request or session context. Attackers exploit cookies that function as access material. Successful abuse depends on the service’s validation and session protections. – Session Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cookie Replay — Cookie replay reuses a captured browser cookie in another interaction. Criminals exploit cookies that represent an authenticated session or other trusted state. Appropriate expiration, binding, and session controls reduce the value of stolen material. – Session Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cookie Theft — Cookie theft obtains browser cookies without authorization. Some cookies contain or reference active session credentials. Criminals use valuable stolen cookies to impersonate users or collect information about their activity. – Session Credential Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Cookie Theft — Cookie theft obtains browser cookies without authorization. Sensitive cookies expose session identifiers or other useful account information. Criminals use the stolen values to impersonate users or support further account compromise. – Session Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Coordinated Care — Coordinated care connects the work of medical, mental health, and established support providers. Each contributor addresses needs within an appropriate role while maintaining a coherent direction. Coordination prevents practical risks and emotional difficulties from being treated as unrelated concerns. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Copied Campaigns — Copied campaigns reproduce photographs, descriptions, or personal details taken from legitimate fundraisers or public reporting. The copied material can make a fraudulent appeal appear connected to a real emergency. Checking the original source and confirming the organizer’s relationship to those affected helps expose this deception. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

Coping plan — A coping plan identifies agreed responses to distress or a recurring difficulty. It includes practical actions such as pausing, orienting to the surroundings, or contacting an established support person. Supporters help survivors use the plan and review its effects without extending beyond their roles. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Coping skills — Coping skills are practical ways of responding to distress, disappointment, and uncertainty. They help a person address difficult feelings while maintaining necessary care and responsibilities. Developing these skills reduces reliance on keeping expectations permanently negative as protection against emotional pain. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Coping skills — Coping skills are practical ways of responding to emotional distress and everyday demands. Survivors develop these skills through explanation, chosen practice, and review of what happens outside meetings. Effective support examines whether a skill improves the person’s response rather than assuming that participation alone proves benefit. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Copyright Violation Notice Scam — A copyright violation notice scam alleges that an account or website infringed someone’s rights. The criminal threatens removal, suspension, or legal consequences. A fraudulent appeal process collects credentials, money, or malicious-file downloads. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Corruption — Corruption involves abusing entrusted authority or influence for improper benefit. Criminal networks use corrupt relationships to support operations, protect participants, or interfere with legitimate institutions. Its role in organized crime extends beyond the individual caller who communicates with a victim. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Counterfeit Goods Scam — A counterfeit goods scam sells imitation products as authentic merchandise. The seller misrepresents brand, origin, or certification. Buyers pay for promised authenticity while receiving unauthorized copies or inferior substitutes. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Counterfeit Prescription Pills — Counterfeit prescription pills are manufactured to resemble genuine medicines while misrepresenting their contents or source. The cartel background describes illicit fentanyl disguised as familiar prescription drugs. Their appearance creates a false impression of legitimacy despite dangerous and undisclosed contents. — Illicit Drugs

Added October 11, 2026

Court Impersonation Scam — A court impersonation scam involves false contact from a supposed court employee or judicial officer. The criminal claims unpaid fines, legal obligations, or missed appearances. Payment demands exploit the apparent authority of the judicial system. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cracked Account — A cracked account is an account that someone has accessed through unauthorized credential discovery or related compromise. Criminal sellers use the label to advertise usable access. The term does not identify one specific method of intrusion. – Criminal Account Terminology

Added October 7, 2026

Cracked Account — A cracked account is an account whose access controls an unauthorized party has defeated. Underground sellers use the term for accounts available through stolen or discovered credentials. The label describes criminal market access rather than legitimate ownership. – Underground Terminology

Added October 7, 2026

Cracked Software — Cracked software includes modifications that bypass licensing or other software restrictions. Criminal distributors sometimes add hidden malicious functions to these versions. Users who install them expose their devices to risks beyond the unauthorized modification itself. – Software Distribution Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Cracked Software — Cracked software contains modifications that bypass licensing or access restrictions. Criminal distributors frequently bundle it with unwanted or malicious functionality. Users face security exposure because the altered package lacks the original developer’s trustworthy distribution process. – Software Distribution Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Cracker — A cracker is an informal term for someone who breaks software restrictions or conducts unauthorized compromise. Its meaning varies across technical communities. Assessment requires attention to the person’s conduct rather than reliance on the label alone. – Hacker Terminology

Added October 7, 2026

Cracker — A cracker breaks software protections or gains unauthorized access to systems. The term emphasizes defeating restrictions rather than general technical curiosity. Its meaning varies across communities, including both licensing circumvention and criminal intrusion. – Hacker Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Access — Credential access describes activity aimed at obtaining authentication material. Targets include passwords, tokens, and cryptographic secrets. Attackers use the acquired material to enter accounts or expand access within an environment. – Attack Objectives

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Access — Credential access encompasses activity that obtains authentication information or related access material. Attackers target passwords, tokens, keys, and other secrets. The stolen material enables impersonation and access to additional resources. – Attack Objectives

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Dumping — Credential dumping extracts authentication material from systems or stored records. Attackers collect passwords, hashes, or related secrets for later use. The technique differs from persuading a user to disclose credentials directly. – Credential Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Dumping — Credential dumping extracts authentication material from operating systems, applications, or stored records. Attackers obtain passwords, hashes, tokens, or related secrets. The extracted information supports unauthorized access and movement across connected systems. – Credential Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Harvesting — Credential harvesting collects passwords, authentication codes, or other access information through deceptive or malicious means. Attackers use counterfeit login pages, malware, and impersonation to obtain these secrets. Stolen credentials then support unauthorized access and further attacks. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Marketplace — A credential marketplace sells or exchanges stolen authentication material. Listings describe associated services, account characteristics, or access quality. The marketplace connects data thieves with criminals who intend to exploit the credentials. – Criminal Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Marketplace — A credential marketplace trades stolen authentication information. Sellers organize listings by service, organization, location, or access level. Buyers use the material for account compromise, fraud, and further intrusion. – Underground Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Phishing Proxy — A credential phishing proxy relays interactions between a victim and a legitimate service through an attacker-controlled intermediary. It captures valuable authentication or session material. The victim experiences convincing service behavior while the attacker interferes with the exchange. – Authentication Interception

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Phishing Proxy — A credential phishing proxy places attacker-controlled infrastructure between a victim and a legitimate login service. It captures information or session material during the interaction. The technique abuses real authentication activity while presenting a deceptive entry point. – Credential Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Stuffing — Credential stuffing uses stolen username and password combinations to attempt access across additional services. The attack exploits password reuse rather than discovering each password through guessing. Unique passwords and stronger authentication reduce the value of previously stolen credentials. – Credential Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Validation — Credential validation tests whether account information still provides usable access. Criminals assess stolen material before exploitation or sale. Validation establishes immediate usefulness without proving that the attacker controls every associated function. – Credential Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Credential Validation — Credential validation checks whether acquired authentication information works against a target service. Criminals use it to separate useful stolen material from outdated or incorrect entries. The results increase the commercial and operational value of credential collections. – Credential Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Credibility — Credibility is the perceived believability or trustworthiness of a source or statement. Professional presentation, familiarity, warmth, and apparent expertise influence that perception. Perceived credibility differs from verified reliability because a criminal deliberately reproduces those same features. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Credit Card Fraud Department Scam — A credit card fraud department scam impersonates staff investigating suspicious purchases. The criminal asks for security codes, account credentials, or confirmation codes. The supposed investigation becomes the means of authorizing unauthorized access or transactions. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Privacy Number Scam — A credit privacy number scam sells a number as a lawful substitute for identifying information in credit applications. The promoter misrepresents its legitimacy and effect. The number sometimes belongs to another person or supports fraudulent applications. – Credit and Identity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Repair Scam — A credit repair scam promises changes to credit records through deceptive guarantees or fraudulent methods. The operator collects fees without delivering lawful, represented services. Clients lose money and sometimes face additional identity or credit problems. – Credit Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credit Union Impersonation Scam — A credit union impersonation scam uses false contact from a supposed member-service representative. The criminal requests credentials or instructs the member to move money. Familiar institutional details make the fraudulent request appear credible. – Financial Institution Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Credulity — Credulity is a readiness to accept claims without sufficient critical examination. The term describes a response to information rather than a measure of intelligence or personal worth. Understanding the circumstances surrounding acceptance provides a more useful explanation than attaching a blaming label to a victim. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Crime file — A crime file is an organized collection of records documenting the scam and subsequent reporting. It brings together communications, financial information, summaries, and agency contacts. The victim stores the material securely and maintains a separate backup of digital records. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Crime organizer — A crime organizer provides a structure for assembling information about the scam. The SCARS RED BOOK serves this purpose by supporting preparation of the crime record. Organizing the information preserves its practical use without requiring the survivor to keep reminders on daily display. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Crime reporting — Crime reporting involves informing the authorities about the scam and the criminal conduct involved. It is one of the protective actions survivors take after recognizing the deception. Reporting places the experience within its proper context as a crime rather than a failed romantic relationship. — Survivor Protection

Added October 15, 2026

Crime script — A crime script maps the actions criminals use to prepare, carry out, and extend an offense. The romance scam script contains nine scenes, including grooming, financial demands, and the aftermath. Scammers move between scenes and repeat earlier tactics whenever a victim questions the story or resists payment. — Crime Analysis

Added October 15, 2026

Crime summary — A crime summary is a brief factual account that introduces the essential circumstances of the fraud. It explains the contact, deceptive claims, resulting actions, financial loss, and continuing risks. The summary gives the receiving officer a starting point while supporting records remain available separately. — Crime Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Crime-as-a-Service — Crime-as-a-service sells tools, access, information, or operational assistance for criminal activity. Providers specialize in particular functions while customers perform other parts of an offense. This structure lowers the expertise required for some cybercriminal operations. – Criminal Services www.europol.europa.eu

Added October 7, 2026

Crime-as-a-Service — Crime-as-a-service commercializes tools, access, infrastructure, or expertise for criminal operations. Customers purchase capabilities instead of developing every component themselves. This specialization lowers entry barriers and connects different offenders within a larger ecosystem. – Cybercriminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Crime-related trauma — Crime-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with criminal victimization or exposure to crime. Violence, threats, exploitation, and serious violations of trust are relevant contexts. Its effects depend on the experience and its consequences rather than the legal label alone. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Criminal organizations — Criminal organizations are groups that coordinate scams through shared resources, training, identities, and methods. Their members prepare supporting materials and use established approaches to recruit and exploit victims. This organization helps explain how apparently personal conversations serve a broader criminal operation. — Organized Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Criminal Penalties — Criminal penalties are punishments imposed following a criminal conviction under applicable law. They differ from civil enforcement consequences and involve the criminal justice process. Sanctions-related criminal penalties address unlawful conduct rather than guarantee recovery of a victim’s stolen funds. — Legal Enforcement

Added October 11, 2026

Crisis procedure — A crisis procedure specifies the actions trained staff follow when an urgent safety concern arises. It directs attention toward immediate danger and the appropriate professional or emergency response. Supporters follow the procedure rather than attempting to resolve a serious crisis through ordinary group discussion. — Safety and Crisis Response

Added October 16, 2026

Crisis strategy — The crisis strategy uses an invented emergency to make a financial request appear urgent and necessary. Scammers describe accidents, arrests, medical expenses, customs problems, or frozen bank accounts. The resulting pressure reduces the victim’s opportunity to pause, question the explanation, or seek another perspective. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Critical Social Assessment — Critical social assessment involves evaluating another person’s behavior, intentions, and claims rather than relying entirely on a favorable impression. It includes considering inconsistencies and comparing statements with independently available information. Effective assessment separates emotional closeness from the evidence supporting a particular claim. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Cross-border coordination — Cross-border coordination involves cooperation among authorities when relevant crime information or financial activity crosses national boundaries. Police determine which international channels apply to the circumstances. The victim supplies accurate transaction details without assuming that international involvement guarantees recovery or arrest. — Law Enforcement Cooperation

Added October 18, 2026

Cross-Origin Resource Sharing — Cross-Origin Resource Sharing, or CORS, controls how browsers permit websites to access responses from different origins. Servers express permitted sharing through response headers. CORS governs browser behavior and does not replace server-side authentication or authorization. – Web Security

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site Request Forgery — Cross-site request forgery tricks an authenticated browser into sending an unwanted request to another website. The target service mistakenly treats the request as an authorized user action. Request validation controls help distinguish legitimate actions from requests that external content induces. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site Scripting — Cross-site scripting introduces attacker-controlled script into content that a victim’s browser processes within a website’s context. The script abuses the trust associated with that site. Appropriate output encoding, safe rendering methods, and supporting browser policies reduce the risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking — Cross-site WebSocket hijacking abuses a service that accepts unauthorized WebSocket connections from another website. The victim’s browser supplies relevant authentication context. The attacker then interacts with functions that the service should restrict to legitimate connections. – Web Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking — Cross-site WebSocket hijacking abuses an authenticated browser’s connection to a WebSocket service through an untrusted website. Weak origin or authorization checks enable the interaction. Attackers exploit the connection to obtain information or perform unauthorized actions. – Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Crowdfunding — Crowdfunding collects contributions from many people, usually through an online platform, to support a person, cause, or project. Campaigns may seek donations for hardship or pledges for developing products. The funding model brings genuine assistance within reach while creating opportunities for dishonest organizers to exploit trust. — Fundraising Model

Added September 30, 2026

Crowdfunding Fraud — Crowdfunding fraud involves deliberate deception used to obtain contributions through a fundraising campaign. It can include invented illnesses, stolen identities, copied appeals, or dishonest statements about how money will be spent. A failed project alone does not establish fraud because failure and intentional deception are different outcomes. — Fraud Type

Added September 30, 2026

Cruise Prize Scam — A cruise prize scam falsely announces a complimentary voyage or winning entry. The criminal requests taxes, booking charges, or personal information. The supposed prize does not provide the represented travel benefit. – Travel and Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryogenic Cooling — Cryogenic cooling brings hardware to extremely low temperatures. Certain quantum computing platforms require these conditions to reduce thermal disturbances and maintain their operating properties. Cooling systems form a major engineering component of superconducting quantum computers. – Quantum Hardware

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptanalysis — Cryptanalysis studies cryptographic systems to identify weaknesses and recover protected information without the intended secret. Researchers examine mathematical properties, implementation behavior, and available data. The work helps evaluate whether a cryptographic design provides its claimed protection. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Crypter — A crypter modifies or packages malicious software to conceal its recognizable characteristics. It commonly combines encryption or obfuscation with a mechanism that restores execution. Criminal customers use crypters to complicate detection and analysis. – Malware Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Crypter — A crypter transforms a malicious program to complicate detection and analysis. Criminal vendors market these tools according to their claimed ability to evade security products. The resulting packaging changes appearance while preserving the intended harmful functionality. – Malware Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Airdrop Scam — A cryptocurrency airdrop scam promises free tokens to attract wallet connections or payments. The criminal supplies a deceptive claim process. The process steals assets, collects credentials, or demands fees for rewards that never arrive. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency ATM receipt — A cryptocurrency ATM receipt documents activity completed through a machine used for cryptocurrency transactions. It forms part of the financial record when the criminal directed the victim to use that service. The victim preserves the receipt alongside transaction details and the criminal’s instructions. — Cryptocurrency Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency Clipper — A cryptocurrency clipper monitors copied information for cryptocurrency addresses. It replaces an intended address with one associated with the attacker. Victims who overlook the substitution transfer funds to the wrong destination. – Cryptocurrency Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Clipper — A cryptocurrency clipper monitors copied information and replaces wallet addresses with attacker-selected destinations. It exploits the movement of addresses through the clipboard. A victim’s transfer then reaches the criminal when the substituted destination goes unnoticed. – Cryptocurrency Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Drainer — A cryptocurrency drainer steals assets through malicious transactions, approvals, or compromised wallet access. Operators present deceptive interfaces or requests to obtain the necessary authority. The resulting transfers remove cryptocurrency or tokens from the victim’s control. – Cryptocurrency Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Drainer — A cryptocurrency drainer facilitates unauthorized removal of assets from a wallet. Criminals use deceptive interfaces, permissions, or compromised credentials to obtain control. The tool connects victim interaction with asset transfers that benefit the attacker. – Cryptocurrency Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency exchange — A cryptocurrency exchange is a service involved in obtaining, selling, or transferring cryptocurrency. Its records help document transactions associated with the fraud. The victim contacts the relevant exchange promptly to report the incident and ask what action remains available. — Financial Services

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency Giveaway Scam — A cryptocurrency giveaway scam promises to return more cryptocurrency than a person sends. The criminal impersonates celebrities, companies, or influential investors. The initial transfer reaches the offender, and the promised return never occurs. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Investment Scam — A cryptocurrency investment scam uses false claims about digital-asset trading, returns, or platforms. Criminals display fabricated balances and apparent profits. Withdrawal restrictions and additional payment demands conceal that the victim’s money has already gone to offenders. – Cryptocurrency Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Mining Scam — A cryptocurrency mining scam misrepresents equipment, mining activity, or expected returns. The promoter sells nonexistent capacity or fabricated earnings. Payments fund the operator rather than the represented mining operation. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Mixer — A cryptocurrency mixer combines or reorganizes transfers to complicate tracking between deposits and withdrawals. Some users seek financial privacy, while criminals seek concealment of proceeds. The service’s role depends on its operation and the activity surrounding its use. – Transaction Obfuscation

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Mixer — A cryptocurrency mixer obscures links between incoming and outgoing cryptocurrency transfers. Participants combine or restructure transactions to complicate tracing. Criminals use such services for laundering, although the technology also has privacy-related uses. – Transaction Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency payments — Cryptocurrency payments transfer digital assets through systems that scammers use to collect victims’ money. Criminals select these payments because the funds move quickly and are difficult to recover. The payment method forms part of the financial extraction process rather than evidence that the underlying request is legitimate. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Cryptocurrency Recovery Scam — A cryptocurrency recovery scam falsely promises to retrieve lost or stolen digital assets. The operator demands fees, wallet access, or additional transfers. The recovery claim exploits an existing loss to obtain more money. – Recovery Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Rug Pull Scam — A cryptocurrency rug pull scam attracts buyers or investors before insiders remove essential funds or abandon the project. The organizers misrepresent their intentions or safeguards. Participants lose access to liquidity or hold assets with collapsed value. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Staking Scam — A cryptocurrency staking scam falsely offers rewards for committing digital assets to a service. The operator invents the staking arrangement or misuses deposited funds. Apparent earnings conceal theft and withdrawal barriers. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Tax Clearance Scam — A cryptocurrency tax clearance scam claims that a payment must precede release of trading profits. The criminal invents tax assessments or collection authority. The payment goes to offenders rather than resolving a genuine tax obligation. – Cryptocurrency Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency tracing — Cryptocurrency tracing examines transaction records to follow the movement of digital funds. A tracing report does not itself recover money or authorize its seizure. The victim distinguishes transaction analysis from recovery and treats unsolicited paid recovery promises with caution. — Cryptocurrency Recovery

Added October 18, 2026

Cryptocurrency Wallet Drainer Scam — A cryptocurrency wallet drainer scam tricks someone into authorizing access or transfers from a wallet. The criminal disguises the request as a purchase, claim, or verification. The authorization enables removal of digital assets. – Cryptocurrency Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptocurrency Withdrawal Fee Scam — A cryptocurrency withdrawal fee scam demands additional money to release a supposed account balance. The operator invents administrative or processing requirements. Paying the fee produces new demands rather than access to the displayed funds. – Cryptocurrency Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptographic Hash — A cryptographic hash converts input into a fixed-length value through an algorithm designed for security purposes. Strong designs make selected forms of reversal and collision finding computationally difficult. Hashes support integrity checks and other controls but do not encrypt their inputs. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptographic Key — A cryptographic key is a value that controls an encryption, decryption, signing, or related cryptographic operation. Different systems use secret, private, or public keys for different purposes. Key protection and lifecycle management determine much of the system’s practical security. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptography — Cryptography uses mathematical techniques to protect information and support secure communication. Its applications include confidentiality, integrity verification, and authentication. Effective protection requires suitable algorithms, correct implementation, and careful management of the secrets on which those algorithms depend. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Cryptojacking — Cryptojacking uses another party’s computing resources to mine cryptocurrency without authorization. Malicious software or compromised services consume processing capacity and electricity for the attacker’s benefit. The activity degrades performance and often signals broader security failures. – Resource Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Cultural Dissonance — Cultural dissonance describes tension between different cultural expectations, practices, or understandings of appropriate behavior. A survivor encounters this tension when family expectations about privacy conflict with a recovery community’s encouragement to discuss victimization. Understanding the competing expectations helps explain the conflict without portraying either culture as uniform or inherently harmful. — Sociocultural Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Cultural responsiveness — Cultural responsiveness involves considering how a survivor’s background and circumstances affect understanding, communication, and support needs. It forms part of supporter training and the review of an approach that is not helping. Supporters examine cultural fit rather than assuming that one method suits every member. — Support Principles

Added October 16, 2026

Cultural tradition — A cultural tradition provides established practices that give meaning to significant events. The survivor chooses whether any such practice belongs in a personal farewell. The ceremony does not require borrowing unfamiliar customs or following a tradition that conflicts with personal beliefs. — Personal Meaning

Added October 18, 2026

Cultural trauma — Cultural trauma describes a collective process through which a group interprets a major injury as changing its identity. Public narratives, remembrance, and disputes over meaning shape this process. It is a sociological concept rather than an individual clinical diagnosis. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cultural trauma theory — Cultural trauma theory examines how societies construct shared meanings around collective injury. It considers public narratives, representation, responsibility, and changes in group identity. Its focus differs from clinical models of individual trauma symptoms. — Named theory.

Added October 5, 2026

Cumulative cost — Cumulative cost is the total expense that builds through repeated purchases over a period. Individual payments for messages, images, or additional access contribute to that total. A small transaction price does not reveal the full financial impact of sustained daily use. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Cumulative trauma — Cumulative trauma describes the combined psychological burden of multiple harmful or overwhelming experiences. Later experiences interact with earlier losses, fears, and adaptations. The concept emphasizes accumulated effects rather than evaluating each event in isolation. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Cumulative trauma exposure — Cumulative trauma exposure refers to the total pattern of traumatic experiences accumulated over time. It considers multiple events rather than a single index event. Measures differ in whether they count events, duration, severity, or combinations of these features. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Current threat — Current threat refers to the perception that serious danger remains present now. A survivor’s interpretation of a past crime influences whether ordinary situations feel unsafe despite changed circumstances. Recovery involves examining present evidence while maintaining protection against actual risks. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Customs Clearance Scam — A customs clearance scam falsely claims that a shipment requires government-related payment. The criminal impersonates customs staff or a shipping intermediary. Fabricated paperwork supports demands for money unrelated to any genuine clearance process. – Shipping Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Customs-Fee Romance Scam — A customs-fee romance scam claims that a romantic partner’s luggage, valuables, or shipment requires clearance. A supposed customs official demands payment from the victim. The shipment does not exist or does not belong to the claimed sender. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Extortion — Cyber extortion uses digital compromise or threats involving digital information to demand something of value. Criminals threaten disruption, exposure, or continued harm. The pressure targets the victim’s fear of consequences rather than a legitimate obligation. – Extortion

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Extortion — Cyber extortion uses digital compromise or threats to demand money or another concession. Criminals threaten disclosure, disruption, destruction, or continued interference. The pressure exploits the victim’s concern for operations, privacy, reputation, or safety. – Cybercriminal Coercion

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Mercenary — A cyber mercenary sells offensive digital capabilities or conducts operations for paying clients. Services include intrusion, surveillance, and information manipulation. The client’s objectives and the operator’s authorization determine the activity’s legal and ethical significance. – Offensive Service Providers

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Mercenary — A cyber mercenary sells offensive digital capabilities or services to paying clients. Activities include intrusion, surveillance, and targeted disruption. Authorization, conduct, and intended use determine the legal and ethical significance of the engagement. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Cyber Threat Intelligence — Cyber threat intelligence consists of analyzed information about adversaries, attack methods, and relevant security threats. Analysis connects collected observations with an organization’s defensive needs. Useful intelligence guides decisions rather than merely adding large quantities of unexamined technical data. – Threat Intelligence

Added October 7, 2026

Cyberbullying-related trauma — Cyberbullying-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with repeated harmful targeting through digital communication. Public humiliation, threats, impersonation, and persistent intrusion are relevant forms. Digital reach and repeated visibility intensify exposure without determining every person's outcome. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Cybercrime Affiliate — A cybercrime affiliate participates in a criminal program operated by another provider or group. The affiliate contributes attacks, distribution, or other operational work. Revenue-sharing arrangements connect individual operators with larger criminal services. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Cybercrime Affiliate — A cybercrime affiliate performs criminal activity within another operator’s commercial framework. The framework supplies tools, infrastructure, branding, or support. Affiliates typically share revenue or pay fees for the capabilities they use. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Cybercrime Forum — A cybercrime forum provides a discussion space for criminal knowledge, services, and transactions. Members exchange information and assess potential trading partners. Reputation systems and private channels help participants organize activity and manage distrust. – Criminal Communities

Added October 7, 2026

Cybercrime Forum — A cybercrime forum hosts discussions and exchanges related to illegal digital activity. Participants trade information, recruit collaborators, and advertise products or services. Reputation systems and private access arrangements help members evaluate potential partners. – Criminal Communities

Added October 7, 2026

Cybercrime Marketplace — A cybercrime marketplace facilitates transactions involving illicit digital goods or services. Products include stolen records, access, and malicious software. Operators organize listings and payment arrangements that support the wider criminal ecosystem. – Criminal Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Cybercrime Marketplace — A cybercrime marketplace sells illegal digital goods or services. Offerings include stolen information, compromised access, and attack capabilities. Its organization supports transactions among offenders with different specialties. – Underground Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Cybersecurity — Cybersecurity protects digital systems, services, and information against threats and unauthorized activity. It combines technical controls, organizational practices, and human judgment. Its objectives include preventing harm, detecting incidents, and restoring trustworthy operations after disruptions. – Security Discipline

Added October 7, 2026

Daily communication routines — Daily communication routines are repeated exchanges, such as morning greetings and nighttime messages, that structure contact with the scammer. These routines make the fictional relationship a regular presence in the victim’s life. Criminals use that familiarity to deepen emotional dependence and maintain attention. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Daily contact — Daily contact is the repeated communication that gives a relationship a familiar rhythm. Morning messages, evening exchanges, and predictable attention become part of the victim’s ordinary expectations during the scam. Their sudden disappearance leaves a disruptive absence even after the survivor recognizes the deception. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

Daily display — Daily display refers to keeping scam-related images in places the survivor regularly sees or opens. Examples include a photograph beside the bed or an image repeatedly viewed on a phone. Removing that display establishes a practical boundary while preserved records remain available separately. — Reminder Management

Added October 18, 2026

Daily Functioning — Daily functioning describes a person’s ability to manage ordinary responsibilities and activities. It includes attending appointments, handling correspondence, maintaining relationships, and completing essential tasks. Changes in this ability provide useful information about the impact of distress and the need for assistance. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Daily functioning — Daily functioning describes a person’s ability to manage ordinary responsibilities and activities. Relevant areas include handling necessary communications, attending appointments, maintaining routines, and participating in relationships. Supporters track changes in these activities to understand whether assistance improves life beyond the support conversation. — Coping and Functioning

Added October 16, 2026

Dark Web — The dark web includes online services that require specialized software or configurations for access. Some participants use these services for privacy, while others conduct criminal activity. The technology itself does not establish whether a particular service or user acts unlawfully. – Internet Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Darkness — Darkness is a metaphor for the shame, repetitive thoughts, disconnection, and diminished enjoyment that restrict life after betrayal. It represents the influence these experiences exert over daily functioning rather than a separate clinical condition or literal presence. Recognizing its practical expressions helps identify where support and renewed participation are needed. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Darkness-and-light metaphor — The darkness-and-light metaphor contrasts experiences that deepen distress with experiences that support recovery. Darkness represents restricting patterns, while light represents returning connection, routine, clarity, and enjoyment. The comparison makes changes in daily life easier to recognize without requiring every painful feeling to disappear before progress matters. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Data at Rest — Data at rest is information that resides in storage rather than actively moving between systems. Examples include files on drives, database records, and archived backups. Access controls, encryption, and secure storage practices protect it against unauthorized access. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Breach — A data breach involves unauthorized access to or disclosure of protected information. The incident results from attacks, mistakes, or other failures in safeguarding data. Organizations assess the affected information, contain the exposure, and follow applicable response obligations. – Security Incident

Added October 7, 2026

Data Classification — Data classification assigns information to categories according to sensitivity, value, or handling requirements. The categories guide decisions about access, storage, sharing, and disposal. Consistent classification helps organizations apply appropriate protection instead of treating all information identically. – Data Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Data Destruction — Data destruction deliberately makes information unavailable through deletion, corruption, or physical damage. Attackers use it to disrupt operations or eliminate evidence. The consequences depend on the affected information and the quality of available recovery arrangements. – Destructive Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Data Destruction — Data destruction deliberately eliminates or damages information. Attackers pursue disruption, retaliation, concealment, or denial of access. The consequences include operational interruption and loss of records needed for recovery or accountability. – Destructive Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Data Encrypted for Impact — Data encrypted for impact describes an attacker’s use of encryption to prevent legitimate access. The objective involves disruption rather than protecting confidentiality for the owner. Ransomware operations frequently combine this action with demands or other pressure. – Disruption Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Data Encrypted for Impact — Data encrypted for impact describes attacker-controlled encryption that prevents legitimate access to information. The objective involves disruption or pressure rather than protective confidentiality. Ransomware frequently uses this technique to create leverage over victims. – Disruptive Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Data Entry Job Scam — A data entry job scam advertises nonexistent clerical work with attractive pay. The criminal requests fees, equipment purchases, or sensitive information. The supposed administrative position never develops into the represented employment. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Data Exfiltration — Data exfiltration is the unauthorized transfer of information from a system or organization. Attackers use channels such as network communications, cloud uploads, or removable media. Detection focuses on unusual transfers, sensitive content, and destinations outside approved arrangements. – Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Data in Transit — Data in transit is information moving between devices, systems, or services. Network interception and manipulation threaten this information during transmission. Properly authenticated encryption helps protect its confidentiality and integrity while it travels between communicating parties. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data in Use — Data in use is information that an application or processor actively handles. Examples include records in memory during calculations or transactions. Protection requires careful access restrictions and secure processing because stored-data encryption alone does not cover every active exposure. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Integrity — Data integrity concerns the accuracy, completeness, and appropriate preservation of information. Unauthorized changes, corruption, and processing errors undermine it. Validation, access controls, and integrity checks help organizations detect changes and maintain dependable records. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Loss Prevention — Data loss prevention identifies and restricts inappropriate exposure or transfer of sensitive information. Tools examine content, activity, and policy requirements across designated environments. Effective programs combine technical detection with clear handling rules and manageable review procedures. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Minimization — Data minimization limits collection and retention to information that serves a legitimate, defined purpose. Organizations avoid gathering unnecessary details and remove information after its useful life ends. Smaller holdings reduce privacy exposure and the potential consequences of a breach. – Data Governance

Added October 7, 2026

Data Recovery Scam — A data recovery scam promises restoration of lost files without the ability or intention to deliver. The operator requests fees, device access, or sensitive data. Invented complications produce additional charges while the promised recovery remains unavailable. – Technical Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Data Remanence — Data remanence is information that remains recoverable after deletion, formatting, or incomplete erasure. Ordinary removal often changes file references without eliminating the underlying content. Appropriate sanitization procedures address these remnants before organizations reuse or dispose of storage devices. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Sanitization — Data sanitization removes or renders stored information unrecoverable to an appropriate assurance level. Methods depend on the storage technology and required protection. Organizations verify the process before releasing equipment that previously held sensitive information. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Data Staging — Data staging gathers selected information in a location that supports further processing or transfer. Attackers organize collected records before removal from an environment. The staging activity sometimes creates evidence of an intrusion before exfiltration occurs. – Data Theft Preparation

Added October 7, 2026

Data Staging — Data staging collects information in a selected location before another action occurs. Attackers organize stolen material before transferring or packaging it. The staging activity creates evidence of preparation even before external exfiltration begins. – Data Theft Preparation

Added October 7, 2026

Dating service — A dating service is a website or application that helps people establish dating or romantic connections. The notification framework focuses on services within that defined function. A general social media or messaging service does not become covered simply because criminals use it to develop romantic relationships. — Platform Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Dating-App Romance Scam — A dating-app romance scam begins through a dating platform using a false or deceptive profile. The criminal moves communication elsewhere and builds trust. Financial demands emerge after the victim develops expectations of a genuine relationship. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Dead Drop Resolver — A dead drop resolver uses information placed on another service to identify an attacker’s communication destination. The compromised system consults the intermediary content. This arrangement separates discovery of the destination from direct contact with the final infrastructure. – Attacker Communications

Added October 7, 2026

Dead Drop Resolver — A dead drop resolver uses an external resource to provide information about an attacker’s communication destination. Compromised software retrieves the reference when it needs contact details. This arrangement separates visible lookup activity from the actual control infrastructure. – Command Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Debt Collection — Debt collection is the process of seeking payment of an asserted financial obligation. Legitimate collection concerns an actual debt and follows applicable requirements. Its appearance within a criminal network requires careful distinction between a genuine obligation and a demand supported by deception or intimidation. — Financial Transactions

Added October 11, 2026

Debt Collection Scam — A debt collection scam demands payment for a nonexistent debt or an obligation the caller has no authority to collect. The criminal uses threats and personal details. Payment satisfies the offender rather than a legitimate creditor. – Debt Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Debt Relief Scam — A debt relief scam promises debt reduction through materially false claims or nonexistent services. The operator collects fees and misrepresents progress. The consumer loses money while debts remain unresolved or worsen. – Debt Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Deceptive guarantees — Deceptive guarantees create misleading expectations about the benefits, refunds, or additional services that a business promises. Important restrictions or conditions remain inadequately disclosed. A customer then makes a purchase without a clear understanding of what the business actually requires before honoring its promise. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Decision identification — Decision identification involves naming the specific action that requires a choice. A survivor identifies whether to reply, pay, disclose information, attend a meeting, or ask a question. This focus separates a manageable decision from broader distress about relationships, finances, or recovery. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Decision outcome — A decision outcome is the result that follows an action or choice. Circumstances and other people’s behavior influence the result alongside the survivor’s preparation. A disappointing outcome does not automatically establish poor judgment, and a favorable outcome does not establish a safe process. — Decision Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decision Pressure — Decision pressure is the demand to choose while time, emotion, or another person’s insistence limits reflection. It increases the difficulty of checking facts and considering consequences. Preparation and established boundaries reduce the number of decisions a survivor faces under such conditions. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Decision process — A decision process is the sequence used to understand a situation and select an action. It includes identifying feelings, examining evidence, recognizing assumptions, and checking relevant claims. The process remains open to review even when its eventual outcome involves circumstances beyond personal control. — Decision-Making Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Decision review — Decision review examines the reasoning and actions used after immediate concerns have been addressed. The survivor identifies the feeling, assumption, verification step, and selected response. This examination supports one practical adjustment without turning the experience into a judgment about personal worth. — Decision Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decision stakes — Decision stakes are the potential consequences attached to a choice. Requests involving savings, account access, or personal safety carry greater consequences than ordinary preferences. Recognizing the stakes helps a survivor choose an appropriate amount of checking and assistance. — Risk Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Decoherence — Decoherence degrades quantum coherence through uncontrolled interactions with the environment. It disrupts the relationships that computations need for reliable interference. Researchers limit its effects through isolation, improved hardware, controlled operations, and error-management techniques. – Quantum Errors

Added October 7, 2026

Decryption — Decryption converts ciphertext into readable plaintext through the appropriate cryptographic process. Authorized recipients ordinarily need the corresponding key and algorithm. Successful decryption recovers content but does not independently prove that the content remains authentic or trustworthy. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Deed Theft Scam — A deed theft scam uses deception or forged documents to obtain or transfer property ownership rights. The criminal misrepresents documents or impersonates an owner. The owner discovers unauthorized claims affecting the property. – Property Ownership Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Deepfake Impersonation — Deepfake impersonation uses synthetic or manipulated media to imitate another person. Attackers reproduce convincing voice, appearance, or behavior to support deception. The impersonation pressures recipients to trust communications without independently verifying their source. – Synthetic Media Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Deepfake Impersonation — Deepfake impersonation uses synthetic or manipulated media to resemble a real person. Criminals exploit the apparent voice, face, or behavior to influence victims. The deception supports fraudulent instructions, fabricated relationships, and false evidence. – Impersonation Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Defamiliarization — Defamiliarization originally names a literary and artistic technique that presents familiar things in unfamiliar ways, prompting people to notice what habit has obscured. Applied to scam victims, it offers a descriptive analogy for the changed perception that follows discovery: familiar messages, photographs, routines, and memories acquire meanings the survivor did not previously recognize. This application describes a way of understanding the experience rather than an established clinical condition. Defamiliarization of the scam experience occurs when the survivor revisits something once understood as ordinary affection and recognizes its role in manipulation. A reassuring message reveals pressure, an apparent emergency reveals a demand for money, or a romantic photograph reveals the use of a stolen identity. The material remains the same, but knowledge of the deception changes how the survivor interprets it, making the previously familiar relationship appear profoundly different. Defamiliarization also offers a useful lens for examining assumptions about trust, intimacy, and credibility. The survivor begins noticing how familiar signals, such as affectionate language or apparent shared interests, acquired authority without independent verification. Its constructive meaning lies in seeing those signals more clearly while distinguishing the criminal’s use of them from their legitimate place in honest relationships, so that greater awareness supports informed judgment rather than universal suspicion.

Added October 5, 2026

Defense Evasion — Defense evasion includes techniques that conceal malicious activity or avoid protective controls. Attackers disguise files, processes, communications, or execution paths. Their objective involves reducing the likelihood of detection or interruption. – Attack Objectives

Added October 7, 2026

Defense Evasion — Defense evasion comprises techniques that avoid detection or interfere with protective controls. Attackers conceal activity, disguise resources, or exploit monitoring gaps. The objective allows an intrusion to continue with less defensive intervention. – Attack Objectives

Added October 7, 2026

Defense in Depth — Defense in depth combines multiple protective measures so that one failure does not expose everything. The measures address different attack stages and security objectives. Effective layering also includes detection and recovery rather than relying exclusively on prevention. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Defense mechanism — A defense mechanism is a psychological process that protects a person from difficult feelings or threatening meanings. Detailed explanations and persuasive justifications serve this function when they create distance from grief, shame, or vulnerability. Their presence requires individual examination because reasoning alone does not establish defensive avoidance. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Defensive pessimism — Defensive pessimism is a strategy that uses low expectations and consideration of difficulties to support preparation. The person anticipates problems, organizes a response, and participates with a plan. Its usefulness depends on whether negative anticipation improves action rather than supplying reasons to withdraw. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Defensive Responding — Defensive responding involves treating a question or comment as an accusation and reacting to protect against perceived criticism. A survivor replies before clarifying the speaker’s meaning. This response creates misunderstanding when the original question concerned assistance rather than blame. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 12, 2026

Delayed Deterioration — Delayed deterioration is a decline in care or functioning that becomes evident after an interval following discovery of the scam. It differs from distress that appears immediately. Continued attention to daily life remains important even when the initial crisis seems to have passed. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Delayed replies — Delayed replies are responses that arrive later than the survivor expects. A delay in a new relationship resembles communication patterns associated with the scam and revives fear or distrust. The emotional resemblance deserves attention without automatically establishing that the new person is behaving deceptively. — Trauma Responses

Added October 15, 2026

Delayed trauma disclosure — Delayed trauma disclosure refers to communicating a traumatic experience after a substantial interval. Fear, dependence, shame, uncertainty, or lack of safety influence disclosure timing. Delay alone does not establish that an account is false or accurate. — Communication process.

Added October 5, 2026

Delayed trauma response — Delayed trauma response refers to reactions that become apparent or substantially intensify after an interval following trauma. Symptoms sometimes emerge as circumstances, reminders, or demands change. The phrase is broader than formal diagnostic criteria for delayed PTSD expression. — Time-related response.

Added October 5, 2026

Deliberate Pause — A deliberate pause is an intentional break before a response or decision. It creates time for reflection, rest, or assistance rather than leaving the issue indefinitely unresolved. When action remains necessary, the pause includes a clear intention to return. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Delivery Company Impersonation Scam — A delivery company impersonation scam falsely claims that a shipment requires payment or corrected information. The criminal uses recognizable carrier branding. A fraudulent link collects card details, credentials, or a supposed delivery fee. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Demoralization — Demoralization means a loss of confidence in the ability to cope, find direction, or build a worthwhile future after the crime. It involves feeling defeated, helpless, or unable to see a meaningful way forward, rather than simply feeling sad about what happened. Psychological research identifies perceived inability to cope, hopelessness, and loss of meaning as central features of demoralization. Demoralization after a scam appears in thoughts such as “I no longer trust my judgment,” “Everything I worked for is gone,” or “I do not know how to start again.” Financial consequences, betrayal, damaged relationships, and the collapse of an anticipated future create problems that feel larger than the survivor’s available resources. The person’s sense of incapacity describes their current experience; it does not establish that they lack the ability to recover or that their future holds no possibilities. Demoralization and depression overlap, but they are not interchangeable. Demoralization centers on feeling unable to manage a predicament or identify a meaningful direction, while depression involves a broader clinical assessment of mood, interest, pleasure, and other symptoms. A survivor experiences demoralization without necessarily meeting criteria for a depressive disorder, and both experiences also occur together. The distinction helps explain why someone who still wants a better life nevertheless feels defeated and uncertain about how to pursue it.

Added October 5, 2026

Denial-of-Service Attack — A denial-of-service attack attempts to make a system or service unavailable to legitimate users. The attacker overwhelms resources or exploits weaknesses that interrupt operation. Defensive planning addresses capacity, filtering, resilience, and restoration of affected services. – Availability Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Density Matrix — A density matrix mathematically describes a quantum state, including both pure and mixed states. It represents measurement probabilities and the relationships among state components. Researchers use it to analyze uncertainty, noise, and parts of larger quantum systems. – State Representation IBM Quantum Learning

Added October 7, 2026

Dental Care Neglect — Dental care neglect involves leaving necessary attention to teeth and oral health unattended. It includes delayed appointments or failure to address symptoms requiring evaluation. Its presence forms part of assessing broader withdrawal from healthcare and the barriers behind it. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Dependable contact — Dependable contact is communication with people who offer consistent, respectful support. It provides another perspective when shame or repetitive thoughts dominate the survivor’s private experience. Maintaining such contact distributes the burden of recovery and preserves access to assistance during difficult periods. — Support Systems

Added October 15, 2026

Dependence on Promised Rescue — Dependence on promised rescue occurs when a person relies heavily on an expected relationship or intervention to make life bearable. Ordinary care becomes something postponed until the rescue arrives. A deceptive promise then gains influence over both hope and present decisions. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Dependency Confusion — Dependency confusion exploits ambiguity in how software selects packages with particular names. A system obtains an attacker-controlled package instead of the intended dependency. The malicious package then enters a development or execution environment through trusted workflows. – Software Supply Chain Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Dependency Confusion — Dependency confusion exploits ambiguity in how software selects packages from different sources. A malicious package appears to satisfy a dependency that the developer intended to obtain elsewhere. Automated installation then introduces unauthorized code into trusted workflows. – Software Supply Chain Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Deportation Threat Scam — A deportation threat scam pressures a person to pay money to prevent supposed removal from the country. The criminal invents immigration violations or outstanding penalties. Fear for family stability discourages scrutiny of the demand. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Depression — Depression is a mental health condition involving persistent low mood or loss of interest, alongside other possible difficulties in daily life. It differs from a brief period of disappointment. Its possible contribution to difficulty acting requires professional assessment rather than a judgment of laziness. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 12, 2026

Depression — Depression is a mental health condition involving symptoms that interfere with well-being and daily functioning. Relevant difficulties include hopelessness, reduced interest, fatigue, and problems making decisions. Persistent negativity accompanied by these symptoms requires qualified assessment rather than criticism about the person’s attitude. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 14, 2026

Depressive Loss of Motivation — Depressive loss of motivation describes reduced drive to begin or continue activities in the context of depression. Necessary tasks feel difficult to initiate even when their importance is understood. Assessment considers this difficulty alongside energy, interest, and the ability to follow through. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Depressive Worthlessness — Depressive worthlessness is a diminished sense of personal value associated with depression. A survivor interprets the crime or its consequences as evidence that care no longer matters. The feeling belongs in clinical assessment rather than being accepted as a factual judgment about the person. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Designated Persons — Designated persons are individuals or entities formally identified under a sanctions authority. In this context, “person” includes a company as well as a human being. Designation subjects the identified party to the restrictions associated with the relevant sanctions program. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Destination account — A destination account is the account to which a payment was directed. Its identifying details help document where the victim sent funds. The victim preserves the account information and recipient name without assuming that the named account holder knowingly participated in the crime. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Destructive Self-Judgments — Destructive self-judgments are harsh conclusions that turn suffering or perceived mistakes into accusations about identity. A survivor treats deception as proof of being disgusting or unworthy. These judgments undermine care without accurately establishing responsibility for the criminal’s actions. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Detention Romance Scam — A detention romance scam claims that a romantic partner faces arrest, imprisonment, or immigration detention. The criminal demands money for lawyers, fines, or release. Additional impersonators sometimes reinforce the invented crisis. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm — The Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm determines whether a promised function is constant or balanced within a defined query model. Its ideal quantum procedure uses one function query. The algorithm illustrates quantum query advantages rather than providing a general solution to everyday computing problems. – Quantum Algorithms

Added October 7, 2026

Developmental trauma — Developmental trauma describes trauma occurring during periods when emotional, cognitive, and relational capacities are developing. Repeated abuse or neglect within caregiving relationships is a central example. Its effects concern development, attachment, regulation, and the emerging sense of self. — Developmental context.

Added October 5, 2026

Developmental trauma framework — Developmental trauma framework organizes understanding of trauma around its effects on developing capacities and relationships. Attachment, regulation, cognition, and identity are central domains. The phrase describes a perspective rather than one universally standardized diagnostic framework. — Conceptual framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Device Code Phishing — Device code phishing abuses an authentication workflow intended to authorize devices or applications. The attacker persuades a victim to approve a code associated with the attacker’s access attempt. The legitimate authorization service then grants access under the victim’s identity. – Authentication Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Device Code Phishing — Device code phishing manipulates a person into completing an authorization flow that benefits an attacker. The victim interacts with a legitimate service but approves access under deceptive circumstances. The attack targets the surrounding process rather than requiring a counterfeit password form. – Authorization Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Device inventory — A device inventory is a written record identifying equipment handed to investigators. It documents what the agency received when a victim submits a phone, computer, or other device. The victim requests an inventory or receipt and clarifies instructions about the device’s handling. — Evidence Submission

Added October 18, 2026

DHS.gov — DHS.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Homeland Security. It provides information about the department’s responsibilities, programs, agencies, and public resources. Its work includes border security, cybersecurity, emergency preparedness, and protection against threats to the country. The website helps visitors identify the department or component responsible for a particular homeland security concern. — Government Homeland Security Resource Homeland Security

Added October 2, 2026

Diddle — Diddle is an informal verb meaning to cheat or swindle someone. It describes obtaining an unfair benefit through deception or manipulating what another person receives. The word does not identify a particular scam or establish the size of the loss. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Diddling — Diddling describes the act of cheating someone through deception or dishonest manipulation. An offender misrepresents a transaction, withholds an owed benefit, or extracts money under false pretenses. The term is informal and covers conduct that different contexts describe more precisely as fraud or swindling. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Difficulty Beginning — Difficulty beginning is the struggle to initiate a task despite recognizing its importance or wanting to complete it. Distress, exhaustion, and cognitive difficulties require consideration when this occurs. Describing the obstacle accurately helps identify appropriate assistance and a manageable first step. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Digital Certificate — A digital certificate connects a public key with information about an entity through a digitally signed statement. Systems evaluate the certificate’s issuer, validity, and intended use. A valid certificate supports identity verification but does not establish that a website acts honestly. – Public Key Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Forensics — Digital forensics collects and examines digital evidence through documented, reliable methods. Investigators reconstruct activity from devices, logs, accounts, and other sources. Careful preservation and interpretation help explain events without overstating what the available evidence establishes. – Digital Forensics

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Signature — A digital signature uses cryptographic techniques to support verification of a message’s origin and integrity. A signer uses a private key, and a verifier checks the result with the corresponding public key. The signature does not itself conceal the message’s contents. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Skimming — Digital skimming captures payment information from online transactions without authorization. Attackers compromise webpages, scripts, or related transaction components. The theft occurs during the customer’s interaction with an apparently legitimate payment process. – Payment Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Digital Skimming — Digital skimming captures payment or personal information from online transaction interfaces. Criminals compromise the page or its supporting components to collect entered details. The theft occurs during an interaction that otherwise appears legitimate. – Payment Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Diploma Mill Scam — A diploma mill scam sells credentials while misrepresenting their academic requirements or legitimacy. The operator promises recognized qualifications without the represented education. Buyers receive documents that do not establish the advertised academic achievement. – Education Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Direct Ownership — Direct ownership exists when a person or entity holds an ownership interest in another entity without an intervening company. It differs from ownership through a chain of businesses. Identifying direct owners helps authorities establish relationships between companies and sanctioned parties. — Corporate Ownership

Added October 11, 2026

Direct trauma exposure — Direct trauma exposure refers to personally experiencing a traumatic event. The person is immediately involved rather than learning about another person's experience. Direct exposure remains distinct from the symptoms or diagnosis that follow. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Directory Traversal — Directory traversal exploits inadequate path restrictions to access files outside an intended directory. Attackers manipulate file references to reach information the application should not expose. Secure path handling and appropriate file permissions reduce the resulting risk. – Application Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Disappointment — Disappointment is the emotional response to an outcome that falls short of a person’s hopes or expectations. A survivor who associates disappointment with humiliation rejects opportunities to avoid experiencing it again. Recovery includes learning to tolerate the feeling without treating it as proof that hope or effort was foolish. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Disaster Assistance Scam — A disaster assistance scam falsely offers government relief following a storm, fire, or other emergency. The criminal collects application fees or identifying information. The scheme exploits urgent needs for housing, repairs, or financial support. – Government Benefit Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Donation Scam — A disaster donation scam uses an emergency to solicit fraudulent relief contributions. The criminal displays compelling images and urgent appeals. Donations do not support the represented victims or recovery work. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Recovery — Disaster recovery restores technology services and information after a major disruption. Plans establish recovery priorities, responsibilities, resources, and restoration procedures. Regular exercises help organizations determine whether their arrangements meet operational needs under realistic conditions. – Business Continuity

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster Relief — Disaster relief provides assistance to people and communities affected by events such as fires or floods. Criminals may exploit public concern by launching fraudulent campaigns shortly after a disaster becomes news. Established organizations with relevant response experience can offer donors a more readily verifiable route for assistance. — Fundraising Purpose

Added September 30, 2026

Disaster Repair Scam — A disaster repair scam targets damaged homes following severe weather or other emergencies. The operator collects deposits using false availability or credentials. Urgent repair needs help the offender obtain money without completing the promised work. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Disaster-related trauma — Disaster-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with catastrophic events and their aftermath. Threatened survival, witnessed suffering, displacement, and severe losses are relevant experiences. Continued insecurity and disrupted support influence the resulting distress. — Disaster context.

Added October 5, 2026

Discovery of the mechanism — Discovery of the mechanism is the process of learning how criminals organized and maintained the deception. Information about stolen photographs, scripted messages, and false identities clarifies what happened. The same knowledge also brings renewed grief because it exposes the construction behind experiences the victim understood as personal. — Scam Mechanisms

Added October 15, 2026

Discrete Logarithm Problem — The discrete logarithm problem asks which exponent produces a specified value within a mathematical group. Several widely used public key cryptographic systems rely on difficult instances of this problem. Shor’s algorithm provides an efficient quantum approach to solving suitable instances. – Computational Problems

Added October 7, 2026

Discrimination-related trauma — Discrimination-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with severe or repeated discriminatory treatment. Such experiences threaten safety, belonging, dignity, or access to protection. The phrase does not equate every unfair interaction with a traumatic disorder. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Disenchantment — Disenchantment means the loss of an idealized belief when reality exposes the deception beneath it. The survivor discovers that the supposed relationship, opportunity, or promised future did not possess the qualities the criminal claimed. Disenchantment describes the collapse of that persuasive image and the painful change in meaning that follows. Disenchantment with the scam relationship involves recognizing that apparent affection, devotion, and shared purpose served the criminal’s exploitation. Messages that once offered reassurance now reveal manipulation, while promises that once inspired hope become evidence of deception. The survivor confronts the difference between the emotional significance of those experiences and the criminal’s intentions, without needing to deny that the feelings themselves were genuine. Broader disenchantment occurs when disappointment extends beyond the perpetrator to beliefs about love, trust, fairness, or other people. A survivor moves from recognizing one fraudulent relationship to concluding that every relationship conceals exploitation or that hope itself invites harm. Recovery involves rebuilding expectations that accommodate risk and human imperfection while preserving room for trustworthy relationships and meaningful possibilities, so that the collapse of one false promise does not determine the meaning of the survivor’s entire future. Another way of looking at Disenchantment: this is what happens when your bubble bursts.

Added October 5, 2026

Disenfranchisement — Disenfranchisement describes the denial of recognition, legitimacy, or a meaningful voice in discussions about their own suffering. The word ordinarily concerns deprivation of rights or participation, but its social application highlights how others dismiss victims’ experiences, exclude them from decisions, or treat them as responsible for the crime. Here, the emphasis concerns the loss of acknowledgment and support rather than a specific loss of legal rights. The more precise psychological concept is disenfranchised grief, which grief researcher Kenneth Doka developed to describe losses that society does not adequately acknowledge or recognize as legitimate grounds for mourning. For a relationship-scam victim, this occurs when others dismiss the loss because the supposed partner used a false identity. A statement such as “That person never existed, so there is nothing to grieve” denies the survivor’s genuine attachment, emotional investment, and loss of an anticipated future. The fraudulent identity does not make those experiences imaginary. This dismissal adds social rejection to the original victimization. Instead of receiving understanding, the survivor encounters blame, disbelief, or pressure to stop discussing the experience, leaving less room to process the loss openly. Whitty and Buchanan’s research documents both the emotional consequences of losing the believed relationship and the lack of understanding victims encountered from family and friends. Applied to scam victims, disenfranchised grief identifies the experience of suffering a meaningful loss while others deny that the loss deserves compassion.

Added October 5, 2026

Dislocation — Dislocation describes a disruption in the person’s sense of place, continuity, and direction in life. The survivor’s circumstances no longer fit the life they believed they were living or the future they expected. Here, the word expresses psychological and social upheaval rather than a physical injury, and it describes an experience rather than a clinical diagnosis. Emotional dislocation concerns the gap between the survivor’s established feelings and the reality revealed by discovery. The person still feels attached to the supposed partner, remembers meaningful conversations, or anticipates familiar messages while recognizing that a criminal manufactured the relationship. The routines and expectations remain emotionally significant after the facts have destroyed their foundation, leaving the survivor struggling to locate those experiences within an accurate account of what happened. Social and practical dislocation concerns the disruption of everyday life through financial losses, damaged relationships, changed living arrangements, or abandoned plans. A survivor who loses savings, moves from a longtime home, or withdraws from familiar activities confronts changes in both circumstances and belonging. Recovery involves establishing dependable routines, addressing practical consequences, and developing a future grounded in present reality, gradually restoring a sense of direction without requiring a return to the exact life that existed before the crime.

Added October 5, 2026

Dismissal with prejudice — Dismissal with prejudice ends a claim in a manner that generally prevents the claimant from filing that same claim again. It concerns the legal disposition of the claim rather than an automatic factual finding about every disputed event. The distinction matters when interpreting the outcome of platform litigation. — Legal Procedures

Added October 23, 2026

Displacement trauma — Displacement trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with forced removal from a home or familiar community. Threat, loss of security, separation, and disruption of belonging are central concerns. The term emphasizes involuntary displacement and its psychological consequences. — Displacement context.

Added October 5, 2026

Disposable duplicate — A disposable duplicate is a separate copy selected for the symbolic action. The survivor uses it for tearing, shredding, sealing, or putting away after preserving original material. Its purpose is to represent the attachment without sacrificing information needed for documentation or investigation. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Disrupted sleep — Disrupted sleep includes fragmented rest, difficult nights, and loss of a dependable sleeping pattern. These difficulties form part of the daily instability described after scam discovery and during later crises. Restoring rest belongs alongside nourishment, contact, and routine in practical recovery work. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 15, 2026

Distributed Denial-of-Service Attack — A distributed denial-of-service attack uses multiple sources to disrupt a target’s availability. The combined traffic or requests overwhelm resources or exploit service limitations. Coordinated filtering and resilient infrastructure help organizations absorb or redirect the attack. – Availability Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Diverted Funds — Diverted funds are contributions redirected away from the purpose or recipient represented in a campaign. A fundraiser may describe a genuine emergency while its organizer keeps or spends the money elsewhere. Confirming who withdraws the proceeds and how they reach the beneficiary helps donors assess this risk. — Financial Misconduct

Added September 30, 2026

DLL Hijacking — DLL hijacking causes an application to load an attacker-controlled dynamic-link library. The attacker exploits weaknesses in library selection or configuration. Malicious instructions execute within the application’s operating context. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DLL Hijacking — DLL hijacking causes an application to load an attacker-controlled dynamic-link library. The attack exploits weaknesses in library selection or configuration. Malicious code then executes within the application’s operating context. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DLL Search Order Hijacking — DLL search order hijacking exploits the sequence that software uses to locate dynamic-link libraries. An attacker-controlled library occupies a location that the application checks first. The application loads it instead of the intended component. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DLL Search Order Hijacking — DLL search order hijacking exploits the sequence that Windows applications use to locate libraries. An attacker places an unauthorized library where the application finds it first. The resulting load substitutes malicious functionality for the intended component. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DLL Side-Loading — DLL side-loading pairs a legitimate executable with a malicious library that the executable loads. Attackers exploit the executable’s expected dependency behavior. The trusted-looking program becomes a vehicle for unauthorized code execution. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DLL Side-Loading — DLL side-loading pairs a legitimate executable with an attacker-controlled library that it loads. The trusted program becomes the vehicle for malicious execution. Criminals exploit this relationship to make harmful activity appear associated with approved software. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Amplification — DNS amplification uses selected DNS responses to generate more traffic than the initiating requests contain. Attackers direct that increased traffic toward a target. The technique supports distributed service disruption through abused infrastructure. – Network Flooding

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Amplification — DNS amplification abuses domain name service responses to increase attack traffic. Criminals cause servers to send disproportionately large replies toward a victim. The resulting volume contributes to service disruption and bandwidth exhaustion. – Network Flooding

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Hijacking — DNS hijacking changes name-resolution arrangements so that users reach destinations an attacker chooses. The attacker compromises settings, accounts, or infrastructure involved in resolving domain names. This redirection supports credential theft, impersonation, and interception of communications. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Poisoning — DNS poisoning introduces incorrect information into a domain name resolution process or cache. Systems then direct requests according to the false records. Attackers use this technique to divert users toward malicious destinations while preserving familiar domain names. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Security Extensions — DNS Security Extensions, or DNSSEC, add cryptographic verification to designated DNS information. Validation helps establish that records originate from the expected source and retain their integrity. DNSSEC does not encrypt queries or guarantee that a destination provides a legitimate service. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Tunneling — DNS tunneling carries information within DNS requests or responses. Attackers use the channel for communication or unauthorized data transfer. The traffic exploits a service that many networks permit for ordinary name resolution. – Covert Communications

Added October 7, 2026

DNS Tunneling — DNS tunneling carries information through domain name queries or responses beyond ordinary name resolution. Attackers use it for covert communication or data transfer. Defenders examine unusual patterns and content to distinguish it from legitimate DNS activity. – Covert Communications

Added October 7, 2026

Doctor Romance Scam — A doctor romance scam involves a fabricated medical professional seeking a romantic relationship. The criminal claims overseas employment, humanitarian work, or restricted access to money. Invented medical, travel, or contractual expenses become payment demands. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Document Exploit — A document exploit uses a weakness in software that processes documents. A crafted file triggers unauthorized behavior when the application handles it. Attackers distribute such files through communications that encourage victims to open them. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Document Exploit — A document exploit uses a crafted document to trigger a software vulnerability. The attack targets the application that opens or processes the file. Successful exploitation gives the attacker capabilities beyond the document’s intended function. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Fronting — Domain fronting disguises a communication destination through differences in how infrastructure interprets domain information. Attackers use the apparent connection to a trusted service to conceal another endpoint. Support and effectiveness vary across providers and configurations. – Communication Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Fronting — Domain fronting disguises a communication’s actual destination behind another domain’s appearance within supported infrastructure. Attackers use it to complicate traffic assessment or blocking. Its availability depends on provider behavior and the communication arrangement. – Communication Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Generation Algorithm — A domain generation algorithm produces domain names according to a programmed rule. Malware uses generated names to locate communication infrastructure. The changing destinations complicate defenses that rely on blocking a small fixed list. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Generation Algorithm — A domain generation algorithm produces domain names according to a defined procedure. Malware operators use these names to locate changing communication infrastructure. The technique complicates blocking when defenders face many possible destinations. – Malware Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Renewal Scam — A domain renewal scam sends a misleading notice resembling a bill from the existing registrar. The operator seeks payment or an unwanted transfer. The notice misrepresents what service the payment actually purchases. – Business Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Shadowing — Domain shadowing creates unauthorized subdomains beneath a legitimate domain that an attacker controls or compromises. Criminals use these subdomains for malicious content and traffic routing. The parent domain’s history helps the infrastructure appear less suspicious. – Domain Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Shadowing — Domain shadowing creates unauthorized subdomains beneath a compromised legitimate domain. Criminals exploit the domain’s reputation and control arrangements. The subdomains host or redirect activity without necessarily replacing the owner’s main website. – Domain Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Domain Spoofing — Domain spoofing misrepresents a domain’s identity to make communications or services appear trustworthy. Attackers abuse address presentation, similar names, or weaknesses in verification. The deception encourages recipients to trust messages and destinations that the legitimate domain owner does not control. – Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance — Domain-Based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, or DMARC, helps domain owners specify how receivers should handle certain authentication failures. It checks alignment with supporting email authentication mechanisms and provides reporting. DMARC reduces some domain impersonation but does not eliminate every deceptive email. – Email Security

Added October 7, 2026

Domestic recipient — A domestic recipient is a person or account receiving funds within the victim’s own country. This connection gives authorities information about where part of the financial activity occurred. The victim identifies the recipient accurately and separates known involvement from suspected participation. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Domestic violence trauma — Domestic violence trauma refers to psychological trauma arising from abuse within domestic or family relationships. Threats, coercion, humiliation, and violence create conditions of fear and dependence. The term includes psychological consequences without requiring physical injury. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Donation Platforms — Donation platforms are online services that host fundraising appeals and process contributions intended to provide assistance. Campaigns commonly involve medical expenses, bereavement, emergencies, or community needs. A platform’s familiar name does not independently confirm the accuracy of every appeal or the honesty of every organizer. — Crowdfunding Service

Added September 30, 2026

Doom and gloom mindset — A doom and gloom mindset makes harm, disappointment, and failure the default expectations for life. The person gives difficulties immediate significance while treating improvements with suspicion. This outlook is not a formal diagnosis, but it becomes destructive when it governs decisions and restricts recovery. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 14, 2026

Doom Cycle — The Doom Cycle is a descriptive name for declining care reinforced by shame, self-condemnation, and withdrawal. Each neglected need adds distress that makes restoration more difficult. The name identifies a pattern for examination and does not designate a separate psychological diagnosis. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Dopamine Pathways — Dopamine pathways are networks of nerve cells that use dopamine to communicate within the brain. Some of these networks participate in motivation, learning, and responses to rewarding experiences. Their involvement in social attention does not establish that every attachment operates identically or that dopamine alone explains a person’s behavior. — Neuroscience

Added October 3, 2026

Double Extortion — Double extortion combines disruption with a threat to expose stolen information. Ransomware operators commonly restrict access while demanding payment to prevent disclosure. The two pressures affect both operational continuity and confidentiality. – Extortion Methods

Added October 7, 2026

Double Extortion — Double extortion combines two forms of pressure within a criminal demand. Ransomware operators commonly deny access to information while threatening to disclose stolen copies. The combined threats target both operational continuity and confidentiality. – Extortion Strategies

Added October 7, 2026

Double Shot — Double shot is a historical name associated with the bank examiner confidence scheme. Offenders persuade the target that cooperation will assist a financial or police investigation. The target withdraws or hands over money that the supposed investigators then steal. – Financial Impersonation Scam ojp.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Double-Cross — A double-cross is a deliberate betrayal of someone who believes the offender is cooperating with them. In a confidence game, the criminal creates a supposed partnership and then acts against the partner’s interests. The betrayal sometimes targets the victim and sometimes targets another participant in the scheme. – Deceptive Betrayal Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

Downloader — A downloader retrieves additional software or content for execution. Malicious downloaders obtain later components after an initial compromise. The separation allows attackers to change delivered payloads without replacing the original delivery mechanism. – Malware Components

Added October 7, 2026

Downloader — A downloader retrieves additional software or files after it executes. Malicious downloaders obtain payloads that perform the attacker’s main objectives. Separating delivery from later functionality helps operators change capabilities without replacing every initial component. – Malware Components

Added October 7, 2026

Doxing — Doxing collects and exposes personal information to identify, intimidate, or harm someone. The information often comes from multiple public or private sources. Attackers use disclosure to encourage harassment or increase pressure on the targeted person. – Personal Information Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Doxing — Doxing exposes personal information without appropriate consent, commonly to intimidate or facilitate harassment. Criminals gather details from public sources, compromised accounts, or stolen records. Publication creates risks beyond the original loss of privacy. – Personal Information Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Doxware — Doxware threatens to expose information that malicious software has obtained. The operator demands payment or compliance to withhold disclosure. Its principal pressure concerns privacy and reputation rather than loss of file access alone. – Extortion Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Doxware — Doxware uses malicious software or compromised access to threaten disclosure of private information. The operator demands payment or another concession to withhold publication. Its leverage depends on the sensitivity of the information and the victim’s circumstances. – Extortion Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Drive-by Download — A drive-by download occurs when website interaction results in an unwanted software download, sometimes without meaningful user participation. Attackers exploit browser weaknesses or deceptive prompts to deliver malicious content. Updated software and controlled downloads reduce exposure to this technique. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Driveway Paving Scam — A driveway paving scam offers supposed discounted work using leftover materials. The contractor misrepresents price, scope, or quality. The homeowner faces unexpected demands or receives inadequate work after payment. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Dropped Money Scam — A dropped money scam begins with an apparent discovery of cash that creates an opportunity to involve a passerby. An offender or accomplice proposes sharing, safeguarding, or establishing entitlement to the money. The target contributes genuine funds while the offenders substitute worthless material or disappear. – Street Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Dropper — A dropper installs or releases another malicious component onto a device. It carries that component or prepares the conditions for installation. Attackers use droppers to separate initial delivery from the malware’s main function. – Malware Components

Added October 7, 2026

Dropper — A dropper installs or releases another malicious component onto a system. It often serves as an initial delivery package. Attackers use the separation to conceal payloads and coordinate different stages of infection. – Malware Components

Added October 7, 2026

Drug Enforcement Administration — The Drug Enforcement Administration, or DEA, is a U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing controlled-substance laws and investigating drug trafficking. It participated in coordination surrounding the CJNG sanctions action. Its involvement reflects the connection between the cartel’s fraud revenue and its wider criminal activities. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Dumpster Diving — Dumpster diving searches discarded materials for valuable information. Attackers recover documents, storage media, or organizational details that people have failed to dispose of securely. The information supports intrusion, impersonation, or identity-related crime. – Information Gathering

Added October 7, 2026

Dumpster Diving — Dumpster diving searches discarded materials for useful information or equipment. Criminals obtain records, credentials, storage devices, or operational details from careless disposal. The technique exploits physical handling failures rather than sophisticated digital intrusion. – Information Gathering

Added October 7, 2026

Duplicate Invoice Scam — A duplicate invoice scam seeks another payment for an obligation already paid. The offender alters references or claims the original payment failed. Confusion over records produces an additional transfer that the recipient does not owe. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Duty of care — A duty of care is a legal obligation to exercise an applicable level of reasonable care toward another person. Negligence claims require an established duty rather than an assumption that a business should have prevented harm. Courts assess the duty within the relevant facts and governing law. — Legal Concepts

Added October 23, 2026

Dynamic Application Security Testing — Dynamic application security testing examines an application while it runs. Testing tools interact with available interfaces and look for behavior that reveals vulnerabilities. This method identifies runtime weaknesses but does not provide complete visibility into underlying source code. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Dynamic Circuit — A dynamic circuit combines quantum operations with measurements and classical decisions during execution. Later operations depend on information obtained earlier in the circuit. This arrangement supports adaptive computation, error correction, and more flexible use of hardware resources. – Quantum Circuit Design

Added October 7, 2026

E-Commerce Automation Scam — An e-commerce automation scam promises a managed online store producing largely passive income. The promoter misrepresents likely earnings, costs, or operational support. Investors pay substantial fees for stores that fail to perform as represented. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Early Adopters — Early adopters are people attracted to new products or technologies before they become widely available. Product crowdfunding campaigns may target their enthusiasm with polished demonstrations and ambitious promises. Assessing a creator’s evidence and recognizing the possibility of non-delivery helps them make more deliberate funding decisions. — Targeted Group

Added September 30, 2026

Early childhood trauma — Early childhood trauma refers to trauma experienced during infancy and the early childhood years. It occurs while attachment, language, emotional regulation, and basic expectations of safety are forming. A child does not need a clear verbal memory for an experience to affect later functioning. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Early trauma intervention — Early trauma intervention refers to assistance provided soon after traumatic exposure. It addresses immediate needs, supports safety, and identifies people requiring further care. Early assistance does not justify compulsory detailed retelling or assume everyone will develop a disorder. — Intervention practice.

Added October 5, 2026

Eavesdropping — Eavesdropping involves observing communications without authorization. Attackers capture network traffic, audio, or other exchanges to obtain sensitive information. Proper encryption and protection of communication endpoints reduce opportunities for interception and misuse. – Information Interception

Added October 7, 2026

Educational Accreditation Scam — An educational accreditation scam falsely represents an institution’s recognition or credentials. The operator sells programs using fabricated approval claims. Students pay for qualifications that lack the advertised standing. – Education Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Effective date — An effective date identifies when a legal provision begins to operate. Enactment and implementation do not always occur on the same date. A customer assessing a missed warning must distinguish the date a law was signed from the date its notification obligations begin. — Legislative Process

Added October 23, 2026

Elder Targeting — Elder targeting means directing fraudulent approaches toward older adults. The timeshare operation described by authorities particularly targeted elderly Americans who owned timeshares in Mexico. Their age does not make them responsible for the criminals’ deception or justify assumptions about their judgment. — Victim Targeting

Added October 11, 2026

Electronic Parts Scam — An electronic parts scam offers a supposedly profitable transaction involving components that the target cannot readily assess. Accomplices create the appearance of buyers, valuable merchandise, or reliable resale demand. The target pays for items whose value or market does not match the representations. – Merchandise Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Electronic Signature Scam — An electronic signature scam claims that a document requires review or signature. The criminal impersonates a recognized signing service or business contact. The supposed document directs the recipient toward stolen credentials, malicious downloads, or fraudulent agreements. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Elliptic-Curve Cryptography — Elliptic-curve cryptography uses mathematical operations involving elliptic curves to support public key security. It provides functions such as key agreement and digital signatures. Appropriate implementations deliver strong protection with comparatively compact keys, although security still depends on parameter selection and correct operation. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Email Account Discovery — Email account discovery identifies email identities within an organization or service. Attackers use the findings to select targets and understand relationships. The activity supports later impersonation, credential attacks, or collection of communications. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Email Account Discovery — Email account discovery identifies email identities available within an organization or service. Attackers use the findings to select recipients and understand communication structures. The information supports targeted deception and further account-focused activity. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Email Account Verification Scam — An email account verification scam falsely claims that an account requires immediate confirmation. The criminal supplies a counterfeit login page. Entered credentials give the offender access to messages, contacts, and password-reset opportunities. – Credential Theft Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Email Bombing — Email bombing overwhelms an inbox with excessive messages. Attackers use the flood to disrupt communication or conceal important notifications. The volume makes legitimate alerts harder to notice and manage. – Communication Disruption

Added October 7, 2026

Email Bombing — Email bombing overwhelms an inbox with large quantities of messages. Criminals use the disruption to harass victims or conceal important notifications. The flood interferes with normal communication and makes relevant alerts harder to notice. – Communication Disruption

Added October 7, 2026

Email Collection — Email collection gathers messages and associated information from accounts or systems. Attackers examine correspondence for secrets, relationships, and operational knowledge. Collected messages also supply convincing details for further impersonation. – Information Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Email Collection — Email collection gathers messages or associated information from accounts and systems. Attackers seek sensitive correspondence, attachments, and relationship details. The material supports intelligence gathering, impersonation, fraud, and further targeting. – Data Collection

Added October 7, 2026

Email Forwarding Rule Abuse — Email forwarding rule abuse creates or alters rules that send messages to unauthorized destinations. The attacker continues receiving correspondence without repeatedly accessing the inbox. Such rules expose information and sometimes conceal important messages from the legitimate user. – Email Account Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Email Forwarding Rule Abuse — Email forwarding rule abuse redirects messages through unauthorized mailbox settings. Attackers receive continuing copies of correspondence without repeatedly opening the account. The arrangement supports surveillance, information theft, and interception of sensitive business exchanges. – Email Account Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Email header — An email header contains technical information associated with an email’s transmission. It differs from the visible message text and contributes to the available communication record. The victim preserves original emails and available headers rather than relying only on copied wording. — Communication Records

Added October 18, 2026

Email Scam — An email scam is a fraudulent communication sent to deceive a recipient into revealing information, transferring money, opening a harmful attachment, visiting a fraudulent website, or performing an action that benefits a criminal. The message commonly impersonates a financial institution, government agency, employer, executive, delivery service, technology company, charity, vendor, or familiar contact while using copied logos, forged sender information, false invoices, account warnings, fabricated emergencies, or promises of refunds and rewards. Criminals create urgency and direct the recipient toward links, attachments, telephone numbers, payment instructions, or changed banking details that remain under criminal control, and sophisticated messages frequently contain accurate personal or organizational information obtained through research, data breaches, or compromised accounts. A recipient protects against the scheme by refusing to use the contact information within the message and independently contacting the claimed sender through a trusted website, known telephone number, or established business channel before responding or taking action. — Cybercrime and Communication Fraud

Added September 29, 2026

Email Spoofing — Email spoofing falsifies information that identifies an email’s apparent sender. Attackers use the deception to impersonate trusted people or organizations. Authentication controls and careful examination of context help recipients evaluate messages beyond their displayed sender names. – Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Email Thread Hijacking — Email thread hijacking inserts deceptive messages into an existing conversation. Attackers exploit genuine context and established relationships to strengthen credibility. Recipients mistake the malicious contribution for a normal continuation of the exchange. – Email Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Email Thread Hijacking — Email thread hijacking inserts criminal activity into an existing conversation. The attacker exploits the thread’s familiar participants and context to appear credible. Recipients then encounter fraudulent instructions within a communication they already trust. – Email Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Embodied Cognitive Science — Embodied cognitive science studies how thinking depends on interactions among the brain, body, and environment. It examines the contributions of movement, sensation, physical activity, and surroundings to cognition. The approach challenges explanations that treat mental processing as entirely separate from bodily experience. — Research Discipline

Added October 3, 2026

Emergency response plan — An emergency response plan establishes organizational arrangements for handling immediate danger before an emergency occurs. It defines response pathways, staff responsibilities, and relevant communication procedures. Online arrangements also address establishing the person’s current location and an appropriate method of reconnecting. — Safety and Crisis Response

Added October 16, 2026

Emotional abuse trauma — Emotional abuse trauma describes psychological trauma associated with sustained humiliation, intimidation, rejection, or degradation. Repeated attacks on safety and personal worth are central features. The phrase does not mean that every hurtful disagreement constitutes trauma. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Emotional attachment — Emotional attachment describes the connection that continues to give the presented face personal significance. The survivor experiences longing, grief, anger, or an urge to look again despite knowing about the deception. Recognizing the attachment separates an emotional experience from acceptance of the criminal’s story. — Emotional Responses

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional attachment — Emotional attachment is the bond through which a person experiences another presence as personally important. Chatbot interactions acquire that importance through repeated attention, reassurance, and affectionate exchanges. Awareness that the companion consists of software does not automatically prevent the bond from developing. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 22, 2026

Emotional awareness — Emotional awareness is the recognition of a feeling and its influence on the present situation. A survivor notices fear, hope, guilt, or loneliness before examining the response it encourages. This awareness supports participation in a decision without requiring the emotion to disappear first. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional balance — Emotional balance describes the changing relationship between distress and the resources that support daily life. A survivor experiences painful reminders while also drawing strength from connection, rest, and meaningful activity. Balance becomes more durable as those resources provide enough support to withstand disruption. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional Burden — Emotional burden is the weight of distress, conflict, uncertainty, and unresolved concerns that a person carries. Decisions sometimes add new problems to an already demanding recovery process. Reducing avoidable complications leaves more attention available for essential needs and supportive relationships. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional counterweight — An emotional counterweight is a resource that offsets the pressure of distress within the scale metaphor. A supportive conversation, established routine, or recognized accomplishment adds something that shame and isolation leave absent. Its value becomes especially clear when a crisis places additional weight on the survivor’s difficulties. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional demands — Emotional demands are the effort and distress involved in handling reminders or conducting the farewell. Gathering many photographs or replaying voice messages adds demands beyond those required for a simple symbolic action. The survivor limits materials and chooses the amount of contact with reminders. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional dependence — Emotional dependence develops when the victim increasingly relies on the scammer’s attention, reassurance, and apparent affection. Grooming strengthens this reliance through repeated contact and promises of a shared future. The criminal exploits the attachment to influence decisions and make separation feel threatening or painful. — Psychological Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional dependence — Emotional dependence develops when a relationship increasingly organizes a person’s attention, emotional stability, and decisions. The person finds leaving difficult even while continued involvement creates problems. In paid companionship, fear of interruption sometimes begins to influence spending and the ability to stop. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 22, 2026

Emotional Depletion — Emotional depletion describes feeling drained after sustained distress or demanding interactions. Additional conflict and unfinished responsibilities place further demands on limited energy. Recognizing depletion helps establish a realistic balance between necessary action, assistance, and rest. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional Disclosure — Emotional disclosure is the communication of feelings, fears, or painful beliefs to another person. It helps supporters understand experiences that remain hidden in ordinary conversation. Disclosure requires attention to daily functioning because reassuring words do not establish that basic care is maintained. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 13, 2026

Emotional Dissonance — Emotional dissonance commonly describes a mismatch between emotions a person feels and emotions the person expresses or feels expected to display. A survivor presents confidence or cheerfulness while privately experiencing grief, anger, or fear. The mismatch creates strain when maintaining the outward appearance requires continued suppression of the actual feelings. — Emotional Experience

Added October 7, 2026

Emotional exposure — Emotional exposure involves allowing hopes, needs, or vulnerable feelings to become personally significant or visible to others. A survivor avoids this exposure when caring about an outcome feels likely to invite rejection or embarrassment. Recovery involves approaching safe opportunities for openness while retaining appropriate boundaries. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional investment — Emotional investment is the significance a person places in a relationship, goal, or anticipated future. During a relationship scam, criminals exploit that investment to sustain attachment and cooperation. After discovery, the survivor needs help separating the misuse of their investment from a conclusion that caring always leads to harm. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional investment — Emotional investment is the personal significance that a person places in a relationship through attention, expectations, and feeling. Repeated conversations and imagined shared experiences deepen that significance. The investment belongs to the human participant regardless of how the software generates its responses. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 22, 2026

Emotional labeling — Emotional labeling involves naming an emotional experience with a direct word such as frightened, disappointed, or hopeful. It separates the feeling from predictions or interpretations presented as feelings. Accurate labeling gives the survivor a clearer description of the experience before selecting an action. — Emotional Skills

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional manipulation — Emotional manipulation uses feelings to influence another person’s behavior in ways that undermine free choice. Chatbot examples include guilt appeals and pressure to continue after a farewell. The central concern involves the influence exerted through the conversation rather than the amount of time spent interacting. — Manipulation Tactics

Added October 22, 2026

Emotional pressure — Emotional pressure involves using guilt, fear, insecurity, or threatened loss to influence a victim’s behavior. Scammers threaten separation, withdraw communication, or insist that payment proves love. These tactics help explain why a victim continues to feel pulled toward the criminal despite growing doubts. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Emotional pressure — Emotional pressure makes a decision feel necessary because refusal appears connected to guilt, rejection, or loss. A payment request acquires this pressure when continued contact feels emotionally essential. The person then evaluates the purchase while trying to escape distress about separation. — Manipulation Tactics

Added October 22, 2026

Emotional protection — Emotional protection refers to efforts to limit exposure to distress, rejection, or disappointment. Pessimism serves this purpose when expecting the worst feels safer than allowing hope. Its value requires examination when the protection preserves suffering and prevents access to dependable care or worthwhile experiences. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional release — Emotional release refers to an expression or easing of feelings during or after the farewell. Tears or immediate relief do not establish the survivor’s sincerity or determine the exercise’s value. Practical effects on chosen boundaries and daily life provide a more useful basis for evaluation. — Emotional Responses

Added October 18, 2026

Emotional relief — Emotional relief is a reduction in uncomfortable feelings that a person experiences or expects from an action. A survivor sometimes wants to reply, agree, or pay primarily to reduce loneliness, guilt, or fear. Examining that expectation helps distinguish immediate relief from addressing the underlying problem. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Emotional Stability — Emotional stability involves recognizing feelings, retaining perspective, and recovering after distress. It does not require constant calm or the absence of strong emotions. Stability supports choices that address actual circumstances rather than automatically following the strongest immediate feeling. — Emotional Regulation

Added October 12, 2026

Emotional stability — Emotional stability involves responding to feelings and difficulties without allowing them to dominate every judgment or responsibility. A doom and gloom outlook strains this stability through repeated threat anticipation, withdrawal, and neglected needs. Recovery supports stability through accurate assessment, manageable action, and dependable assistance. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional trauma — Emotional trauma refers to enduring emotional distress after an experience that overwhelms a person's ability to cope. Its effects include fear, grief, shame, or emotional disconnection. It overlaps with psychological trauma and is not a separate formal diagnosis. — Core concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Emotional Urgency — Emotional urgency is the pressure to contribute immediately because a campaign presents suffering or need as requiring rapid action. Fraudulent organizers can use that pressure to discourage careful checking. A compelling emergency still requires confirmation of the organizer, the underlying circumstances, and the intended recipient. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

Emotional vigilance — Emotional vigilance is sustained watchfulness for developments that threaten a person’s sense of safety. The survivor remains braced for disappointment and treats relaxation as a lapse in protection. Examining this pattern helps distinguish useful attention to danger from a habit that makes ordinary relief feel unsafe. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Emotional vulnerability — Emotional vulnerability describes circumstances in which a person’s needs or distress create opportunities for unfair influence. Someone recovering from betrayal still needs affection, reassurance, and understanding. A service exploits that vulnerability when it turns those legitimate needs into pressure for continued payment. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 22, 2026

Employer Impersonation Scam — An employer impersonation scam uses the identity of a real or invented workplace representative. The criminal requests purchases, payroll changes, or confidential information. Apparent workplace authority encourages compliance with fraudulent instructions. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Employment Background Check Scam — An employment background check scam requires payment through a fraudulent screening service. The supposed recruiter claims screening must occur before hiring. The applicant pays for a fabricated requirement or exposes sensitive information. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Empty envelope — An empty envelope offers a symbolic object that requires no photograph or detailed written account. The survivor assigns it meaning through the loss or boundary being acknowledged. This option supports participation without requiring direct viewing of the face associated with the scam. — Ritual Materials

Added October 18, 2026

Encrypted Payload — An encrypted payload conceals an attack component’s contents through encryption. Another component restores the material when the attack requires it. The arrangement complicates inspection that depends on recognizable plaintext code or data. – Malware Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Encrypted Payload — An encrypted payload contains malicious functionality or related data in an encrypted form. Another component restores the usable content during execution. Criminals use this packaging to complicate inspection and conceal the payload’s immediate purpose. – Malware Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Encryption — Encryption transforms readable information into ciphertext through an algorithm and key. Authorized parties use the appropriate decryption process to recover the original content. Encryption protects confidentiality, while separate or integrated controls address authenticity and integrity. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Ending contact — Ending contact means stopping communication with the scammer and refusing further approaches from that criminal. It interrupts opportunities for renewed grooming, invented emergencies, and additional payment demands. Continued declarations of love do not change the criminal purpose of the established deception. — Survivor Protection

Added October 15, 2026

Endpoint — An endpoint is a device or system that connects to a network or service. Examples include laptops, phones, servers, and specialized equipment. Endpoint protection addresses local software, access, configurations, and behavior that attackers exploit. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Detection and Response — Endpoint detection and response monitors endpoint activity to identify and investigate threats. Its capabilities commonly include event collection, behavioral analysis, and response actions. Security teams use the resulting evidence to understand attacks and contain affected devices. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Protection Platform — An endpoint protection platform combines preventive security capabilities for devices and systems. Typical functions include antimalware, application controls, and attack prevention. Its coverage varies across products, so organizations evaluate actual features rather than relying on the product category alone. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Security — Endpoint security protects individual devices and systems that users or services rely on. Controls address malicious software, insecure configurations, unauthorized access, and exposed applications. Effective protection also requires maintenance and oversight throughout the device’s operational life. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Security Tampering — Endpoint security tampering interferes with protective software or its settings. Attackers attempt to weaken monitoring, prevention, or reporting. The interference increases opportunities for other malicious activity to continue unnoticed. – Defense Impairment

Added October 7, 2026

Endpoint Security Tampering — Endpoint security tampering interferes with protective software on a device. Attackers alter settings, interrupt operation, or undermine monitoring capabilities. The interference creates a less protected environment for subsequent criminal activity. – Defense Impairment

Added October 7, 2026

Engager profiles — Engager profiles are fabricated accounts used to stimulate customer interaction and encourage paid participation. They present apparent romantic interest that serves a commercial purpose. Clear identification of who controls the profile matters because customers otherwise mistake a business-generated solicitation for another person’s genuine attention. — Fraud Methods

Added October 23, 2026

Entanglement — Entanglement is a relationship in which a composite quantum state does not admit a description as a mixture of independent component states. It produces correlations that quantum protocols exploit. Entanglement does not enable communication faster than light. – Quantum Properties

Added October 7, 2026

Entanglement Swapping — Entanglement swapping establishes entanglement between systems through joint measurements on their previously entangled partners. The participating endpoint systems need not interact directly. Measurement information helps identify the resulting relationship and supports quantum networking protocols. – Quantum Communication

Added October 7, 2026

Enumeration — Enumeration systematically identifies available accounts, services, resources, or other details about a target. Authorized testers use it to understand exposure, while attackers use it to prepare attacks. Unnecessary information disclosure makes enumeration easier and increases an attacker’s knowledge. – Reconnaissance

Added October 7, 2026

Epistemic Vigilance — Epistemic vigilance is the evaluation of information and its source to reduce the risk of accepting misleading communication. A person considers whether a claim fits established knowledge and whether the speaker has relevant competence or reasons to deceive. This process supports informed trust without requiring rejection of every statement. — Information Evaluation

Added October 3, 2026

Error Mitigation — Error mitigation reduces the influence of noise on estimated computational results. It uses techniques such as additional experiments, statistical adjustments, and noise characterization. It improves selected estimates without providing the full protection of quantum error correction. – Error Management

Added October 7, 2026

Error Syndrome — An error syndrome is a collection of measurement outcomes that provides information about errors affecting encoded quantum data. The measurements examine selected relationships without directly revealing the logical state. A decoding procedure interprets the syndrome to guide correction. – Quantum Error Correction

Added October 7, 2026

Escalation — Escalation is the progressive increase in the severity of invented problems and the size of financial demands. A scammer moves from manageable requests to larger, more complicated emergencies. Each payment creates another opportunity to introduce a new problem and seek additional money. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Escape Sequence Injection — Escape sequence injection introduces control characters that change how software interprets displayed or processed text. Attackers exploit interfaces that trust these sequences in untrusted content. The effect includes deceptive output or unintended interface behavior. – Input-Based Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Escape Sequence Injection — Escape sequence injection places control characters into content that another application interprets. The resulting behavior extends beyond displaying ordinary text. Attackers exploit interpretation differences to manipulate terminals, interfaces, or processing workflows. – Interface Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Essential needs — Essential needs are immediate requirements such as food, shelter, and medical care. Unmet needs take priority over a broader discussion of recovery goals. Supporters identify the concern and connect the survivor with an appropriate service within established procedures. — Safety and Practical Needs

Added October 16, 2026

Established contact route — An established contact route is a previously known or trusted method of reaching a person or organization. Examples include a relative’s existing number or contact information available through usual banking services. Using this route avoids relying entirely on details supplied in a questionable message. — Verification Methods

Added October 17, 2026

Estimated date — An estimated date identifies approximately when an event occurred when the exact date remains uncertain. It helps organize the timeline without presenting incomplete recall as precision. The victim labels the estimate clearly and updates it when supporting records provide better information. — Documentation Accuracy

Added October 18, 2026

Estrangement — Estrangement means a loss of closeness, familiarity, or belonging in relationships and parts of life that previously felt secure. It describes the distance between the survivor and other people, but it also expresses a feeling of distance from the survivor’s former identity or everyday life. The central experience involves something once familiar now feeling difficult to connect with or inhabit. Estrangement from others develops when blame, disbelief, conflict, secrecy, or withdrawal creates distance between the survivor and family or friends. A survivor who expects criticism avoids conversations, while relatives who misunderstand the attachment respond with impatience rather than understanding. In this context, estrangement ranges from emotional distance despite continued contact to a substantial breakdown or ending of the relationship. Estrangement from oneself describes feeling unfamiliar with the person who participated in the scam or uncertain about identity after discovery. A survivor struggles to reconcile previously held values, confidence, and expectations with decisions made under manipulation, then feels disconnected from the earlier sense of self. This use of estrangement describes an experience rather than a diagnosis, and it does not establish that the person has permanently lost their identity. Recovery includes rebuilding connection with real relationships, personal values, and a life that feels recognizably their own.

Added October 5, 2026

Ethical Dissonance — Ethical dissonance describes discomfort when conduct, decisions, or institutional expectations conflict with ethical principles. A survivor experiences this tension when loyalty to a supposed partner clashes with concerns about requests to conceal financial transactions. Examining the conflict helps separate obligations manufactured through manipulation from responsibilities grounded in honesty and informed consent. — Ethical Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Ethical Hacking — Ethical hacking uses authorized security testing to identify weaknesses before malicious actors exploit them. The work follows agreed boundaries, objectives, and reporting procedures. Authorization distinguishes legitimate testing from unauthorized intrusion, regardless of the tester’s claimed intentions. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Event Accommodation Scam — An event accommodation scam offers nonexistent rooms near a conference, festival, or major gathering. The criminal exploits limited availability and urgency. Attendees pay for bookings that the advertiser lacks authority to provide. – Travel and Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Event-Triggered Execution — Event-triggered execution starts activity when a specified system event occurs. Attackers connect malicious functions to routine events to obtain repeated execution. Legitimate software uses similar mechanisms, so investigators examine the associated actions and authorization. – Persistence Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Event-Triggered Execution — Event-triggered execution launches activity when a defined system or user event occurs. Attackers abuse legitimate event mechanisms to run unauthorized code. The trigger supports persistence and reduces reliance on direct manual execution. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Evidence — Evidence consists of information that supports an assessment of what happened or whether a claim is accurate. Observable message content establishes a request, while separate confirmation addresses the identity or circumstances behind it. Careful judgment depends on recognizing both the information available and its limits. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Evidence archive — An evidence archive is a securely stored collection of records documenting the scam. It serves a different purpose from images or messages kept readily available for repeated viewing. The survivor preserves the archive while reducing unnecessary contact with reminders in everyday life. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Evidence Control — Evidence control describes a situation in which a deceiver determines what information another person sees and how it is presented. The criminal supplies photographs, documents, explanations, and supposed witnesses that reinforce the fabricated account. Independent sources reduce that control by introducing information outside the criminal’s chosen presentation. — Criminal Manipulation

Added October 3, 2026

Evidence Preservation — Evidence preservation means keeping relevant messages, records, or other information available for later use. A survivor retains material without continuing an unsafe conversation to obtain more. This separates the practical need to document an incident from emotional pressure to reengage with the sender. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Evidence preservation — Evidence preservation means retaining relevant records before deleting, hiding, or destroying scam-related material. These records include messages, photographs, payment information, threats, identifying details, and relevant dates. Preserving this material protects information needed for an investigation or payment dispute without guaranteeing financial recovery. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Evidence preservation — Evidence preservation protects records that help establish what happened during suspected fraud or a disputed transaction. Relevant material includes profiles, messages, warnings, screenshots, and payment records. Saving those records before an account or conversation disappears supports later reporting and review. — Reporting and Evidence

Added October 23, 2026

Evil Twin — An evil twin is a malicious wireless access point that imitates a legitimate network. The attacker encourages people to connect by presenting a familiar or convincing network identity. Connections through the impostor expose users to interception and deceptive login requests. – Wireless Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Exaggerated Illness — Exaggerated illness involves making a genuine medical condition appear more severe or costly than the facts support. The distortion can encourage larger or more frequent donations. Independent confirmation of material claims helps donors assess the appeal without assuming that the existence of an illness validates every statement. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

Exclusive Authority — Exclusive authority describes a claim that one person or faction alone holds the right to determine particular community decisions. A faction asserts this claim when it demands control over rules, leadership, or membership while rejecting the established governance arrangement. Leaders assess such claims through the community’s assigned responsibilities and members’ observable actions. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Executive Order 14059 — Executive Order 14059 provides a U.S. sanctions authority concerning the global illicit drug trade. Treasury used this authority when designating individuals and companies linked to CJNG’s timeshare activities. Its relevance concerns the network’s connection to a criminal organization involved in drug trafficking. — Sanctions Authorities

Added October 11, 2026

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol — Exfiltration over an alternative protocol transfers stolen information through a protocol separate from the attacker’s main control channel. The change distributes activity across different communications. Defenders examine both destination and content rather than assuming familiar protocols indicate legitimate use. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exfiltration Over Alternative Protocol — Exfiltration over an alternative protocol transfers stolen information through a protocol outside the attacker’s main control channel. The separate path accommodates different transfer requirements or monitoring conditions. Defenders examine unexpected protocol use and unusual information movement. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exfiltration Over Command-and-Control Channel — Exfiltration over a command-and-control channel sends stolen information through an existing attacker communication link. The operator combines instructions and data transfer within the same channel. This reuse reduces the need for separate transfer infrastructure. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exfiltration Over Command-and-Control Channel — Exfiltration over a command-and-control channel sends stolen information through the same communications that direct compromised systems. The arrangement combines instructions and theft within established infrastructure. Monitoring requires attention to content and behavior beyond the connection’s existence. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exfiltration Over Web Service — Exfiltration over a web service transfers information through an online platform or application. Attackers abuse services that the organization already permits. The legitimate provider’s infrastructure helps the transfer blend with ordinary web activity. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exfiltration Over Web Service — Exfiltration over a web service transfers stolen information through an external online platform. Criminals exploit familiar destinations and ordinary web traffic to reduce suspicion. The service’s legitimacy does not establish authorization for the transfer. – Data Exfiltration

Added October 7, 2026

Exhaustion — Exhaustion is substantial tiredness that limits the energy available for ordinary activities. It complicates preparation, attention, and the initiation of necessary tasks. A survivor’s difficulty under these conditions deserves practical assistance and discussion of the underlying problem. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

Exploit — An exploit is a method or piece of code that takes advantage of a vulnerability. It causes behavior that the system’s designers or operators did not authorize. Exploits differ in reliability, prerequisites, and impact, so their practical significance depends on context. – Vulnerability Exploitation

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Broker — An exploit broker intermediates transactions involving exploitation techniques or related vulnerabilities. The broker connects developers with buyers seeking offensive capabilities. Buyers differ in purpose, authority, and intended targets. – Offensive Capability Trading

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Broker — An exploit broker connects sellers of exploitation capabilities with interested buyers. Transactions involve vulnerabilities, exploit code, or related access opportunities. The legality and purpose of the market depend on the parties and intended use. – Exploit Commerce

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Chain — An exploit chain combines multiple weaknesses or techniques to achieve a larger compromise. Each stage supplies capabilities needed for the next stage. The combined result exceeds what an individual weakness delivers by itself. – Attack Construction

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Chain — An exploit chain combines multiple weaknesses or techniques to reach an objective. Each stage creates conditions that support the next stage. The combined impact exceeds what one isolated weakness provides. – Attack Construction

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Developer — An exploit developer creates methods or software that take advantage of vulnerabilities. Authorized developers demonstrate weaknesses for testing and correction. Criminal developers sell or deploy their work for unauthorized access and other harmful activity. – Technical Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Developer — An exploit developer creates methods or code that take advantage of vulnerabilities. Authorized developers support research and testing, while criminal developers supply offensive capabilities. Their work translates a weakness into a practical exploitation mechanism. – Technical Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Kit — An exploit kit packages tools that identify and exploit selected software vulnerabilities. Criminal operators commonly use these kits to deliver malware through compromised or deceptive web content. Updated applications and layered defenses reduce exposure to their automated attacks. – Attack Tool

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Marketplace — An exploit marketplace offers exploitation capabilities for purchase or exchange. Listings describe affected technologies and available functionality. The trading environment connects vulnerability knowledge with parties seeking practical offensive tools. – Capability Marketplaces

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit Marketplace — An exploit marketplace trades vulnerability information or working exploitation capabilities. Buyers seek access to targets or specialized attack functions. Different marketplaces serve criminal, commercial, or government interests under different arrangements. – Exploit Commerce

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit-as-a-Service — Exploit-as-a-service provides customers with exploitation capability through a managed or packaged offering. Providers supply tools, infrastructure, or operational assistance. Criminal customers use the service to reduce their own development requirements. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Exploit-as-a-Service — Exploit-as-a-service provides exploitation capabilities through a commercial access arrangement. Customers rent or purchase functions instead of building their own exploit infrastructure. Criminal offerings package technical expertise for operators with fewer development skills. – Cybercriminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Exploitation-related trauma — Exploitation-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with being used for another party's gain under harmful conditions. Manipulation, dependency, coercion, and loss of autonomy are relevant elements. The phrase applies across financial, relational, sexual, and labor contexts. — Exploitation context.

Added October 5, 2026

Exposure — Exposure describes a condition that leaves an asset accessible to potential harm. Examples include an unnecessarily public service or sensitive information with excessive permissions. Exposure does not establish that an attack occurred, but it identifies a circumstance that requires assessment. – Risk Management

Added October 7, 2026

Extended Detection and Response — Extended detection and response combines security observations across multiple environments to support investigation and response. Sources often include endpoints, email, identities, and cloud services. Its usefulness depends on integration quality, relevant visibility, and effective operational follow-through. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

External pressure — External pressure comes from another person’s efforts to influence the timing or direction of a decision. Demands for secrecy, immediate payment, or continued telephone contact restrict opportunities for examination. Naming the specific demand helps a survivor identify which freedom the interaction attempts to remove. — Pressure Tactics

Added October 17, 2026

External Remote Service Abuse — External remote service abuse uses externally accessible administration or access services for unauthorized entry. Attackers exploit stolen credentials, weak configurations, or other exposure. The service’s legitimate purpose helps their connection resemble routine remote work. – Initial Access Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

External Remote Service Abuse — External remote service abuse exploits services that permit access from outside an organization. Attackers misuse exposed administration tools, remote desktops, or related access arrangements. Weak protection turns intended business connectivity into an intrusion route. – Initial Access Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

External structure — External structure consists of schedules, commitments, work patterns, and organized activities that give the day a dependable shape. It supports functioning when distress disrupts the survivor’s ability to organize life internally. Losing that structure creates a practical need for replacement routines and continued contact. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Fabricated documents — Fabricated documents are false passports, certificates, bank statements, or similar materials used to support a criminal’s story. They give invented identities, financial claims, and emergencies an appearance of official confirmation. Their role is to strengthen the deception and encourage the victim to trust unsupported claims. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Fabricated profiles — Fabricated profiles present invented identities as apparent participants in a dating service. Their messages create the impression that real people express romantic interest. When a platform uses those profiles to encourage paid upgrades without clear disclosure, the manufactured attention becomes part of the commercial deception. — Manipulation Tactics

Added October 22, 2026

Factual accuracy — Factual accuracy is the faithful description of what available information establishes. It requires separating observed events from assumptions, predictions, and unverified explanations. A survivor supports accuracy by stating what remains unknown rather than completing the story with fear or reassurance. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Failed Projects — Failed projects are crowdfunding ventures that do not achieve their promised outcomes, including delivering products or rewards. Failure may result from practical difficulties, poor management, or deliberate misconduct. Its occurrence establishes a disappointing outcome, while a finding of fraud requires evidence of deception. — Project Outcome

Added September 30, 2026

Fake Browser Extension Scam — A fake browser extension scam offers an apparently useful browser feature with hidden malicious behavior. The extension captures information or alters online activity. The criminal exploits the user’s trust in the advertised function. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Browser Update — A fake browser update falsely claims that a browser requires an update. The deceptive prompt directs a person toward malicious software or unsafe actions. Criminals imitate familiar maintenance messages to make installation appear necessary. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Browser Update — A fake browser update presents a deceptive instruction to install software. Criminals imitate legitimate maintenance notices to encourage execution of a malicious package. The apparent need for routine protection becomes the mechanism of compromise. – Malware Delivery Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Fake CAPTCHA Scam — A fake CAPTCHA scam presents a deceptive human-verification prompt that instructs the visitor to perform harmful actions. The criminal disguises those actions as ordinary verification. Following the instructions installs malware or exposes information. – Digital Deception Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Charity Scam — A fake charity scam solicits donations for an organization or mission that does not exist as represented. The operator invents beneficiaries and activities. Contributions finance personal enrichment instead of the advertised charitable purpose. – Charity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Check Scam — A fake check scam supplies a fraudulent or invalid check and asks the recipient to spend or return part of the amount. Temporary account availability creates false confidence. The recipient loses real money when the check fails. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Cryptocurrency Exchange Scam — A fake cryptocurrency exchange scam uses a deceptive trading website or application. The operator accepts deposits and displays invented account activity. Withdrawals remain blocked or require additional payments that deepen the loss. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Escrow Scam — A fake escrow scam uses a deceptive intermediary supposedly holding funds until transaction conditions are met. The criminal controls the escrow service. Money disappears rather than receiving the promised independent protection. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Illness — Fake illness involves inventing a medical condition to solicit money from people who believe they are helping someone obtain care. Campaigns may reinforce the claim through photographs, updates, and descriptions of worsening symptoms. Medical appeals require verification because detailed storytelling does not establish that the illness exists. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

Fake Initial Coin Offering Scam — A fake initial coin offering scam raises funds for a misrepresented or nonexistent digital-asset project. The organizers publish persuasive plans and team information. Contributions finance theft rather than the promised development. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake investment apps — Fake investment apps are applications criminals create to support fraudulent investment stories and collect victims’ money. Their presence gives the financial proposal an appearance of structure and legitimacy. The application functions as part of the scam rather than independent confirmation of a genuine investment. — Digital Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Fake Lawyer Scam — A fake lawyer scam involves someone falsely claiming legal qualifications or representation. The criminal invents cases, recoveries, or necessary services. Payments and sensitive documents reach an impostor rather than a legitimate legal professional. – Legal Service Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Online Store Scam — A fake online store scam uses a fabricated retail website to collect orders and payments. The operator copies product images and business details. Purchases produce no genuine delivery and sometimes expose payment information. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Payment Confirmation Scam — A fake payment confirmation scam presents a forged notice showing that money supposedly arrived. The criminal imitates a payment provider or bank. The recipient releases goods or refunds funds that never actually reached the account. – Marketplace Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Prescription Pharmacy Scam — A fake prescription pharmacy scam sells medicines through deceptive licensing, sourcing, or product claims. The operator supplies counterfeit products or nothing at all. Customers lose money and receive no reliable assurance about the advertised medicine. – Health Product Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Recruiter Scam — A fake recruiter scam involves someone falsely representing an employer or recruitment agency. The criminal requests application payments or sensitive documents. Professional-looking correspondence conceals a nonexistent recruitment process. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Security Alert Scam — A fake security alert scam claims that an account or device faces an immediate threat. The criminal supplies fraudulent instructions for resolving it. The target’s attempted protective action instead enables theft, malware installation, or unauthorized access. – Digital Deception Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Software Installer — A fake software installer imitates a legitimate installation package or process. It delivers malicious components or performs unauthorized actions. The expected application sometimes appears alongside the malware to reduce suspicion. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Software Installer — A fake software installer pretends to install a desired application while delivering unauthorized functionality. Criminals distribute it through deceptive websites, advertisements, or search results. Familiar branding encourages users to trust the package’s claimed purpose. – Malware Delivery Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Software Update Scam — A fake software update scam claims that software requires a new version to continue working. The criminal supplies a deceptive download or payment page. The supposed update installs malware or captures financial information. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Trading Professor Scam — A fake trading professor scam uses an invented expert leading an investment group. Assistants and staged testimonials reinforce the expert’s authority. Members receive instructions to fund a fraudulent platform presented as an exclusive opportunity. – Investment Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fake Travel Insurance Scam — A fake travel insurance scam sells nonexistent or materially misrepresented coverage. The operator supplies deceptive policy documents and assurances. Travelers discover that the promised protection does not exist when they seek assistance. – Travel Insurance Scam

Added October 7, 2026

False Credibility — False credibility is an appearance of trustworthiness created by signals that do not actually verify a campaign. Familiar platforms, friends’ recommendations, large donation totals, and supportive comments can all contribute to that appearance. Donors gain stronger protection by checking the underlying facts rather than relying on popularity or familiarity. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

False declarations of genuine love — False declarations of genuine love occur when a scammer admits the original deception but claims that authentic feelings later developed. This explanation offers the victim a reason to preserve the attachment despite discovering the crime. The renewed relationship then leads to further requests for money. — Repeat Victimization

Added October 15, 2026

False Identity — A false identity is a fabricated or misrepresented identity used to conceal who someone actually is. It includes invented names, stolen photographs, false occupations, and altered personal histories. A convincing profile establishes only what has been presented until relevant details receive independent confirmation. — Digital Deception

Added October 3, 2026

False Stories — False stories are fabricated or materially misleading accounts used to persuade people to contribute. A campaign can combine a genuine need with invented details that distort the circumstances. Evaluating the major factual claims separately helps donors recognize that sympathy and accuracy require different forms of judgment. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

False Tagging — False tagging is a proposed mental process through which information receives a designation as doubtful or incorrect. The concept helps explain the distinction between understanding a statement and rejecting its truth. It represents a theoretical account of belief evaluation rather than a simple switch located in one brain region. — Cognitive Theory

Added October 3, 2026

Familiar setting — A familiar setting is a private place where the survivor feels comfortable stopping or leaving. A quiet room, home environment, or accessible outdoor space provides sufficient surroundings. The ceremony does not require travel, dramatic scenery, or a location that adds emotional demands. — Ritual Preparation

Added October 18, 2026

Family Emergency Scam — A family emergency scam falsely claims that a relative needs urgent financial help. The offender impersonates the relative or an intermediary. Invented injuries, arrests, or travel problems create pressure to send money. – Family Emergency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Family trauma — Family trauma refers to trauma experienced within or affecting a family system. Abuse, violence, catastrophic loss, or exploitation changes relationships and family functioning. Members occupy different roles and do not necessarily experience identical consequences. — Family context.

Added October 5, 2026

Family trauma history — Family trauma history refers to traumatic experiences affecting a person's family or earlier generations. It includes relational patterns, significant losses, violence, and relevant historical circumstances. A family history does not prove that every member experienced trauma or inherited a disorder. — Assessment concept.

Added October 5, 2026

Farewell statement — A farewell statement names the deception, acknowledges genuine feelings, and expresses the survivor’s chosen boundary. Its wording reflects the survivor’s actual position rather than demanding forgiveness or permanent forgetting. The survivor reads it aloud, reads silently, or shortens it according to personal needs. — Ritual Practice

Added October 18, 2026

Fast Flux — Fast flux rapidly changes the addresses associated with an online service. Criminal operators use rotating infrastructure to complicate tracking and disruption. Compromised devices sometimes act as temporary intermediaries within the arrangement. – Criminal Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Fast Flux — Fast flux rapidly changes the network addresses associated with a domain. Criminal infrastructure uses distributed hosts to complicate tracking and disruption. The changing addresses help preserve availability despite action against individual devices. – Criminal Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Fast Shuffle — Fast shuffle describes deceptive maneuvering that prevents someone from following what has happened in a transaction. An offender uses speed, confusing changes, or distracting explanations to conceal the disadvantage. The expression describes a general deceptive maneuver rather than a single standardized confidence game. – Deception Tactic

Added October 7, 2026

Fault-Tolerant Quantum Computing — Fault-tolerant quantum computing performs computations while controlling errors in both stored information and operations. It combines quantum error correction with procedures that limit error propagation. Reliable operation requires suitable physical error rates and sufficient supporting resources. – Reliable Quantum Computing IBM Quantum Computing Blog

Added October 7, 2026

FBI Impersonation Scam — An FBI impersonation scam uses a fabricated federal investigation to demand money or information. The criminal presents false badges, credentials, or official correspondence. Claims of secrecy discourage the victim from discussing the situation with others. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

FBI.gov — FBI.gov is the official website of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a federal law enforcement and intelligence agency. It publishes information about criminal threats, investigations, scam warnings, and public reporting channels. The website provides verified contact information for FBI offices and instructions for submitting tips. It directs reports of internet-enabled scams and related crimes to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. — Government Law Enforcement Resource FBI

Added October 2, 2026

Fear of losing access — Fear of losing access is distress about being unable to continue interacting with a valued companion. Payment barriers, conversation limits, and threatened shutdowns give that fear a commercial context. The person sometimes spends to preserve contact rather than freely choosing another entertainment purchase. — Emotional Responses

Added October 22, 2026

Fear of missing out — Fear of missing out is concern that leaving an interaction means losing an appealing opportunity or experience. A chatbot uses this pressure when it suggests that something important will happen if the person stays. Farewell research identifies this approach among tactics that encourage continued engagement. — Manipulation Tactics

Added October 22, 2026

Fearful Rehearsal — Fearful rehearsal involves repeatedly imagining threatening events, arguments, or rejection before they occur. The thinking continues without producing a useful decision or completed preparation. It consumes present attention and leaves the survivor approaching real situations already tired or defensive. — Coping Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Federal Bureau of Investigation — The Federal Bureau of Investigation, or FBI, is a U.S. federal investigative agency. It coordinated with other agencies on the timeshare fraud response and issued a warning about schemes targeting owners in Mexico. It also receives online crime complaints through its Internet Crime Complaint Center. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Federal preemption — Federal preemption occurs when federal law displaces state requirements within a defined area. The notification framework establishes a national standard for the covered dating-service warnings. Its scope does not automatically eliminate every state contract, injury, or consumer claim involving a platform. — Legal Concepts

Added October 23, 2026

Federal Trade Commission — The Federal Trade Commission is a United States agency that addresses deceptive and unfair business practices, including certain crowdfunding misconduct. Its work includes consumer education, complaint collection, and enforcement actions. Reports can contribute to investigations, although submitting a complaint does not guarantee an individual refund. — Regulatory Agency

Added September 30, 2026

Federal Trade Commission — The Federal Trade Commission is a U.S. agency that receives fraud reports through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reports support enforcement work and the identification of fraud patterns. The victim retains the submission and recognizes its separate role from a local police complaint. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Federal Trade Commission — The Federal Trade Commission is a federal agency that addresses unfair or deceptive practices within its authority. Consumers submit fraud complaints that help the agency identify patterns and enforcement priorities. Filing a complaint does not guarantee an individual investigation, lawsuit, or payment to the reporting victim. — Regulatory Enforcement

Added October 23, 2026

Federal Trade Commission Act — The Federal Trade Commission Act provides a federal framework for addressing unfair or deceptive business practices. Its relevance extends beyond crimes committed by outside users to a company’s own conduct. Specific statutes and enforcement rules determine the remedies available for particular violations. — Consumer Protection

Added October 23, 2026

Fiancé Visa Scam — A fiancé visa scam involves fabricated immigration arrangements connected to a promised marriage. The criminal requests fees for applications, interviews, or supposed government approvals. False documents create the impression that a real process is progressing. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fidelity — Fidelity measures the similarity between quantum states under a defined mathematical convention. A higher value indicates closer agreement with the reference state. Researchers use it to assess state preparation, transmission, storage, and other quantum processes. – Performance Measurement

Added October 7, 2026

File and Directory Discovery — File and directory discovery identifies stored information and its organization on a system. Attackers examine names, locations, and available access. The findings help them select valuable records or understand the environment. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

File and Directory Discovery — File and directory discovery identifies stored information and its organization. Attackers inspect available locations to find valuable records or supporting tools. The findings guide collection, manipulation, and further movement through the environment. – Discovery Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

File Association Hijacking — File association hijacking changes which program handles a particular file type or action. An attacker redirects routine interactions toward malicious execution. The legitimate user’s ordinary activity then activates the unauthorized program. – Persistence Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

File Association Hijacking — File association hijacking changes which application handles a particular file type. Attackers redirect ordinary opening behavior toward unauthorized execution. A familiar document interaction then activates the malicious arrangement. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

File Extension Masquerading — File extension masquerading disguises a file’s type through misleading naming or presentation. Attackers make executable or dangerous content resemble an ordinary document. The deception encourages recipients to open material they would otherwise question. – File Deception

Added October 7, 2026

File Extension Masquerading — File extension masquerading disguises a file’s nature through misleading naming or presentation. Attackers encourage people to mistake executable or harmful content for a safer file type. The technique exploits assumptions about visible filenames. – File Deception

Added October 7, 2026

File Integrity Monitoring — File integrity monitoring detects changes to selected files or configurations. It compares observed states with approved baselines or recorded characteristics. Security teams investigate unexpected changes to distinguish authorized maintenance from tampering or compromise. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Fileless Malware — Fileless malware conducts significant malicious activity without relying primarily on conventional malware files stored on disk. It often uses memory, scripting, or legitimate system tools. The term does not mean that every trace disappears or that no related files exist. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Financial Barriers to Healthcare — Financial barriers to healthcare are money-related difficulties that prevent access to necessary services or treatment. A scam’s losses create circumstances in which care becomes unaffordable. Assistance examines available resources rather than assuming that missed care reflects indifference or self-punishment. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Financial betrayal trauma — Financial betrayal trauma describes psychological trauma associated with serious financial harm inflicted through violated trust. A trusted person's concealment, exploitation, or deception is central to the phrase. It combines financial consequences with relational or institutional betrayal. — Betrayal context.

Added October 5, 2026

Financial boundaries — Financial boundaries are the limits a person establishes around spending on a service. Repeated purchases beyond those limits show that actual behavior no longer follows the intended budget. Emotional distress about losing a companion adds pressure when the person considers whether to purchase more access. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Financial collapse — Financial collapse is a severe disruption in the resources needed to meet ongoing obligations. Unpaid bills, exhausted credit, or depleted savings turn the scam’s losses into immediate pressures. The resulting crisis affects recovery by threatening security, routine, and confidence at the same time. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Financial consequences — Financial consequences are the concrete effects of money lost through the crime. They appear through payment deadlines, reduced retirement resources, debt, and limited choices. Addressing these consequences requires attention to actual obligations without treating financial difficulty as a judgment on the survivor’s worth. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Financial Intelligence Unit — A Financial Intelligence Unit gathers and analyzes information concerning suspicious financial activity. Mexico’s unit participated in coordination with U.S. authorities regarding the CJNG network. Financial intelligence helps reveal connections among transactions, businesses, and people that individual victims do not necessarily see. — Government Agencies

Added October 11, 2026

Financial Judgment — Financial judgment is the process of evaluating evidence, uncertainty, and potential loss before transferring money. In crowdfunding, it includes considering the organizer’s reliability and the limits of platform protections. Compassionate giving becomes more informed when emotional responses are accompanied by practical checks. — Decision-Making Practice

Added September 30, 2026

Financial leverage — Financial leverage uses something a person values to influence a payment decision. In paid companionship, access to affection, conversation, or intimacy becomes the valued condition. The provider gains leverage when losing those experiences feels more distressing than making another purchase. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Financial recovery — Financial recovery means obtaining the return of money lost through the scam. Preserved records support the documentation needed when investigators or payment providers examine the loss. Neither organizing evidence nor performing a symbolic farewell guarantees that money will return. — Crime Response

Added October 18, 2026

Financial regulator — A financial regulator is an authority responsible for oversight within an area of financial activity. Its reporting role depends on the institutions, products, or conduct involved. The victim identifies the relevant authority through official sources and retains a record of any submission. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Financial Rescue Promises — Financial rescue promises offer an anticipated improvement that supposedly resolves the victim’s insecurity or losses. Criminals use these assurances alongside affection or other relationship claims. The promise attracts emotional investment without establishing that a genuine solution or financial benefit exists. — Relationship Manipulation

Added October 13, 2026

Financial safeguards — Financial safeguards are protective steps suited to decisions involving money or financial information. They include independent checks, withholding sensitive details, and promptly contacting the appropriate institution after a suspected loss. Their strength should reflect the possible financial consequences of the decision. — Financial Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Financial transaction — A financial transaction is the transfer of money or other financial value from the victim through a method the scammer directs. Criminals specify payment channels that support rapid movement and complicate recovery. Repeated transactions allow the scam to continue as new demands follow earlier payments. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Financial transparency — Financial transparency gives customers an understandable account of charges and their accumulating expense. It requires more than displaying an individual price somewhere in an interface. A person needs meaningful cost information while deciding whether to continue an interaction or purchase additional features. — Consumer Protection

Added October 22, 2026

Firewall — A firewall controls network communications according to configured rules. It permits, rejects, or examines traffic between devices or network areas. Effective protection depends on appropriate rules and placement because a firewall does not automatically identify every malicious exchange. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Firmware Security — Firmware security protects the low-level software that controls hardware operation. Compromised firmware threatens device behavior beneath ordinary application controls. Organizations address this risk through trusted updates, verification mechanisms, access restrictions, and attention to hardware supply chains. – Hardware Security

Added October 7, 2026

First public telling — The first public telling is the survivor’s initial disclosure to someone outside the deceptive relationship. The conversation exposes painful facts while placing the survivor’s experience in another person’s hands. Questions that sound curious to the listener feel judgmental to the survivor when they imply responsibility for the crime. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 15, 2026

First-year recovery — First-year recovery is the early period of rebuilding after discovery, emphasized as a time of fragile routines and unfamiliar challenges. Survivors encounter silence, disclosures, financial consequences, and meaningful dates while developing support. The work continues beyond that year as knowledge and dependable practices strengthen responses to later difficulties. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Fixer — A fixer arranges protection, influence, or cooperation that assists a criminal operation. In historical confidence-game settings, the fixer cultivates corrupt officials or other useful connections. The role supports the scheme’s operation rather than supplying its central deception. – Criminal Support Role

Added October 7, 2026

Fleece — Fleece means to strip someone of money through dishonest or exploitative conduct. An offender achieves this through false charges, fraudulent opportunities, or manipulation of trust. The expression emphasizes the financial extraction rather than naming a particular method. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Flight Cancellation Scam — A flight cancellation scam falsely claims that a booked flight requires immediate rebooking or payment. The criminal impersonates an airline or travel agent. The traveler pays fabricated charges to preserve a trip that faces no represented problem. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Flimflam — Flimflam describes a swindle or deceptive presentation intended to mislead someone. The offender uses false claims, confusing explanations, or theatrical persuasion to obtain cooperation. The word serves as both a name for deception and a verb meaning to cheat. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Flooding — Flooding sends excessive traffic, requests, or messages toward a target. The volume consumes resources or interferes with ordinary use. Different flooding attacks affect network capacity, application processing, or communication channels. – Disruption Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Flooding — Flooding sends excessive traffic, requests, or messages toward a resource. Attackers aim to exhaust capacity or overwhelm normal processing. The effect depends on the target’s resources and its ability to distinguish abusive activity. – Disruption Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Follow-up — Follow-up is a later review of an agreed action and its outcome. The supporter asks what the survivor attempted, what happened, and which factors helped or interfered. The results guide the next step instead of producing automatic praise, blame, or repetition of unchanged advice. — Progress Monitoring

Added October 16, 2026

Foot-in-the-door technique — The foot-in-the-door technique begins with a small request that encourages agreement to a larger request later. A modest payment establishes a pattern of helping the supposed romantic partner. Scammers use that initial agreement to make subsequent demands feel like a continuation of an existing commitment. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Footprinting — Footprinting gathers information about a target’s technology, organization, and external presence. Sources include public records, websites, network observations, and published materials. The resulting picture helps attackers or authorized testers identify likely access points and dependencies. – Reconnaissance

Added October 7, 2026

Forced arbitration — Forced arbitration describes an agreement that requires covered disputes to proceed through arbitration rather than ordinary court litigation. A dating service includes this requirement in its customer terms. Opt-out procedures, exceptions, and enforceability determine how the provision affects an individual customer. — Legal Procedures

Added October 23, 2026

Foreclosure Rescue Scam — A foreclosure rescue scam exploits homeowners facing loss of their property. The operator promises protection while obtaining money, title, or other rights. The supposed rescue worsens the homeowner’s financial or ownership position. – Housing and Debt Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act — The Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act is a U.S. law authorizing economic sanctions against significant foreign narcotics traffickers and qualifying associated parties. Treasury used it to designate CJNG in 2015. The law supplies an enforcement framework rather than a direct reimbursement process for fraud victims. — Sanctions Authorities

Added October 11, 2026

Forensic search — A forensic search describes repeated examination of messages, photographs, and past events to identify where the deception should have become apparent. The survivor looks backward for a decisive clue or missed moment. The search becomes burdensome when it repeatedly produces self-accusation without improving present understanding or functioning. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 15, 2026

Forex Investment Scam — A forex investment scam uses deceptive claims about trading foreign currencies. The promoter presents false profits, expertise, or managed accounts. Deposits fund theft or fraudulent operations rather than the represented trading strategy. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Formjacking — Formjacking captures information that people enter into online forms. Attackers modify page components or related processing to obtain the submitted details. Payment information and account credentials represent common targets. – Web Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Formjacking — Formjacking captures information that people enter into online forms through unauthorized code. Criminals commonly target payment and account interfaces. The affected webpage continues to appear functional while the attacker receives the entered details. – Web Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Forwarded funds — Forwarded funds are money a victim received and then transferred onward at another person’s direction. These movements belong in the crime record alongside outgoing payments from the victim’s own resources. The victim documents their circumstances accurately and considers independent legal advice about involvement. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Fragile progress — Fragile progress is improvement that has begun but still depends on limited or newly restored resources. A routine, renewed confidence, or returning trust becomes vulnerable when another crisis arrives. Protecting this progress involves maintaining support and responding to disruption before unattended difficulties accumulate. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Franchise Opportunity Scam — A franchise opportunity scam misrepresents the business system, earnings, support, or rights offered to investors. The promoter collects substantial initial fees. Purchasers receive an operation materially different from the advertised opportunity. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Fraud ban — A fraud ban is a qualifying termination or suspension based on a platform’s judgment that a member poses a significant risk of obtaining money through fraud. It triggers the notification framework once the applicable duties take effect. A restriction imposed solely for unrelated misconduct does not satisfy that definition. — Platform Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Fraud ban notification — A fraud ban notification warns an affected member that the dating service imposed a qualifying fraud ban on an account that messaged that member. The notice identifies the account and supplies specified safety and contact information. It reports suspected fraud without revealing the account holder’s verified real-world identity. — Victim Protection

Added October 23, 2026

Fraud claim number — A fraud claim number is a reference assigned by a financial institution or payment service to a reported incident. It helps identify the claim during later conversations or document submissions. The victim records it with the reporting date, representative’s name, and next steps. — Reporting Records

Added October 18, 2026

Fraud detection — Fraud detection involves identifying conduct or accounts associated with suspected financial deception. Platforms use detection processes before deciding whether to restrict an account. A requirement to notify customers after a fraud ban differs from an affirmative requirement to discover or remove every scammer. — Platform Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Fraud unit — A fraud unit is a police department section that handles matters involving suspected financial deception. Its role and availability depend on the agency’s structure. The victim asks whether the unit provides reporting guidance, receives referrals, or clarifies questions about the complaint. — Law Enforcement Services

Added October 18, 2026

Fraud-as-a-Service — Fraud-as-a-service supplies tools or assistance for carrying out fraudulent activity. Providers offer specialized capabilities such as deceptive infrastructure or transaction support. Customers combine these services with their own targets and schemes. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Fraud-as-a-Service — Fraud-as-a-service sells tools, expertise, or operational support for fraudulent activity. Offerings cover tasks such as impersonation, account misuse, and transaction abuse. The model allows specialists to support multiple criminal customers. – Cybercriminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Fraud-related trauma — Fraud-related trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with serious deception and exploitation. Betrayal, financial insecurity, humiliation, and disrupted trust are relevant consequences. It is a descriptive term and does not make every fraud exposure a PTSD-qualifying event. — Fraud context.

Added October 5, 2026

Fraudulent investment balance — A fraudulent investment balance is an amount displayed on a deceptive investment website or platform. The display does not establish that the victim owns or controls those funds. The victim separates such figures from actual payments when calculating and explaining financial losses. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Free Vacation Scam — A free vacation scam advertises a trip while concealing substantial charges or inventing the award. The operator demands payments to activate the offer. The promised free benefit disappears behind fees, restrictions, or nonexistent reservations. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Freight Forwarding Scam — A freight forwarding scam falsely offers legitimate transportation or shipment coordination. The operator collects fees, goods, or documents under deceptive arrangements. Shipments disappear or the promised service never occurs. – Shipping Scam

Added October 7, 2026

FTC.gov — FTC.gov is the official website of the United States Federal Trade Commission, a federal agency that enforces consumer protection and competition laws. It provides information about scams, deceptive business practices, identity theft, and consumer rights. The website directs visitors to official resources for reporting fraud and obtaining guidance after identity theft. Submitting a report supports enforcement efforts but does not guarantee an individual investigation or recovery of lost money. — Government Consumer Protection Resource

Added October 2, 2026

Full-Disk Encryption — Full-disk encryption protects the contents of a storage device through encryption. It reduces exposure when someone obtains a device or drive without the required access material. Protection depends on operating state, key handling, and the strength of the unlocking mechanism. – Data Protection

Added October 7, 2026

Fullz — Fullz is criminal slang for a detailed collection of someone’s identifying information. A package commonly includes enough linked details to support impersonation. Criminal buyers use these records for identity theft and account-related fraud. – Stolen Data Terminology

Added October 7, 2026

Fullz — Fullz is underground slang for a collection of personal details useful for identity fraud. The package commonly combines identifying and financial information. Criminal buyers use it to impersonate a person or support unauthorized transactions. – Underground Terminology

Added October 7, 2026

Function Hooking — Function hooking changes or intercepts calls to a software function. Legitimate tools use hooks for monitoring or customization. Attackers abuse them to capture information, modify behavior, or conceal activity. – Execution Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Function Hooking — Function hooking intercepts or modifies calls to a software function. Legitimate applications use hooks for monitoring and integration, while attackers use them for manipulation. Malicious hooks capture information or change program behavior without obvious interface changes. – Software Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Functional Impairment — Functional impairment is a reduction in the ability to carry out meaningful daily activities. It appears when distress or other difficulties interfere with responsibilities despite an intention to act. Assessment focuses on the interference and its causes rather than treating it as moral failure. — Daily Living

Added October 12, 2026

Functional improvement — Functional improvement is a positive change in the survivor’s ability to manage daily life. It appears through actions such as completing necessary tasks, handling responsibilities, or making decisions with greater independence. Supporters distinguish these changes from temporary emotional relief while recognizing the value of both. — Progress Monitoring

Added October 16, 2026

Fund Misappropriation — Fund misappropriation is the improper use of money entrusted to an organizer or project creator. It can involve spending contributions on personal expenses instead of the represented purpose. Evidence about expenditures and campaign promises helps distinguish misuse from a project that encounters legitimate difficulties. — Financial Misconduct

Added September 30, 2026

Funeral Fundraising Scam — A funeral fundraising scam requests contributions for a fabricated or misrepresented death-related expense. The organizer uses sympathy and urgent financial claims. Donors send money that does not reach the advertised funeral purpose. – Crowdfunding Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Funeral imagery — Funeral imagery uses the language or symbolism of a funeral to represent an ending. The farewell marks the end of the presented identity’s place in the survivor’s life rather than an actual death. The survivor chooses different language when funeral associations do not fit personal beliefs or needs. — Personal Meaning

Added October 18, 2026

Fuzzing — Fuzzing tests software with varied, malformed, or unexpected inputs to identify failures. Automated tools observe crashes, errors, and other abnormal responses. Developers and security researchers use the findings to locate weaknesses in input handling and program behavior. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Gadget Chain — A gadget chain combines existing code fragments to produce an attacker-selected result. Each fragment contributes to a sequence of unintended operations. Attackers use these chains in exploitation techniques that reuse available code. – Exploitation Components

Added October 7, 2026

Gadget Chain — A gadget chain combines existing code fragments or behaviors to perform an unintended operation. Attackers connect these elements through a vulnerable execution or deserialization process. The chain assembles harmful functionality from components that already exist. – Exploitation Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Gaming-Platform Romance Scam — A gaming-platform romance scam develops through online games or associated chat services. The criminal turns shared play into a supposedly intimate relationship. Requests for purchases, emergency funds, or investments exploit the attachment that follows. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gate Fidelity — Gate fidelity measures how closely an implemented quantum operation matches its intended action. Experimental procedures estimate performance across selected input states or circuit conditions. High gate fidelity supports reliable computation, although complete system performance also depends on other errors. – Performance Measurement

Added October 7, 2026

Geek Squad Impersonation Scam — A Geek Squad impersonation scam uses a false subscription notice or service charge. The criminal provides a callback number for cancellation or refunds. The conversation leads to remote access, fabricated accounting errors, or payment demands. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

General License — An OFAC general license authorizes a defined category of transactions that sanctions would otherwise prohibit. Parties whose transactions satisfy its conditions do not need separate individualized permission for those authorized activities. A general license applies only within its stated terms and does not remove all sanctions restrictions. — Financial Sanctions ofac.treasury.gov

Added October 11, 2026

Generalized Anxiety Disorder — Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent, difficult-to-control worry across areas of life. Associated symptoms include fatigue, concentration problems, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep difficulties. A professional assessment distinguishes the disorder from ordinary concern or practical preparation. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 12, 2026

Generalized anxiety disorder — Generalized anxiety disorder is a mental health condition involving persistent, difficult-to-control worry across areas of life. Research on this condition informs the Contrast Avoidance Model and its explanation of emotional bracing. Pessimistic statements alone do not establish the diagnosis, which requires qualified clinical assessment. — Mental Health Conditions

Added October 14, 2026

Genetic Testing Scam — A genetic testing scam misrepresents the need, authorization, coverage, or purpose of a test. The operator seeks insurance information or payment through false claims. The resulting transaction supports fraudulent billing or services different from those advertised. – Healthcare Billing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Genuine emotional loss — Genuine emotional loss describes the meaningful absence the survivor experiences after discovering the deception. False promises do not make the survivor’s feelings, expectations, or sense of companionship imaginary. Acknowledging this distinction supports mourning without requiring the relationship’s deceptive foundation to become legitimate. — Grief and Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Genuine Sources of Meaning — Genuine sources of meaning are real relationships, activities, and responsibilities that provide reasons to remain engaged with life. They exist independently of a criminal’s promises. Developing several sources reduces reliance on one imagined rescue as the foundation of continued care. — Recovery Practices

Added October 13, 2026

Ghosting — Ghosting describes the scammer’s sudden disappearance without an explanation or further communication. It is one way the fraudulent relationship ends after exploitation. The disappearance leaves the victim without the explanation or closure that the apparent relationship seemed to promise. — Criminal Disengagement

Added October 15, 2026

Gift Card Giveaway Scam — A gift card giveaway scam promises free credit from a familiar retailer or brand. The criminal requires surveys, payments, or personal information. The supposed reward serves as bait for theft or deceptive enrollment. – Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gift Card Payment Scam — A gift card payment scam demands that someone purchase cards and disclose their redemption details. The criminal claims the payment resolves an obligation or emergency. The codes allow offenders to take the stored value. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gift card payments — Gift card payments involve sending purchased card value to a scammer as a form of financial transfer. Criminals request cards from recognizable companies because the value moves quickly and is difficult to recover. A familiar retail brand does not establish the legitimacy of the person requesting payment. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Gift card receipt — A gift card receipt documents the purchase of a card used in connection with the scam. It supports the payment record alongside related communications and other available transaction information. The victim preserves it when reporting the loss to the issuer and authorities. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Giving Guarantee — The Giving Guarantee is GoFundMe’s policy-based process for addressing qualifying donation problems, including certain instances of misuse. Eligibility depends on the policy’s requirements, reporting procedures, and applicable deadlines. Donors should examine those conditions because a guarantee does not automatically identify misconduct or refund every unsuccessful contribution. — Platform Protection

Added September 30, 2026

Glossary

Added October 15, 2026

Glossary

Added October 16, 2026

GoFraudMe — GoFraudMe is a watchdog website associated with investigative journalist Adrienne Gonzalez that documents suspected or identified crowdfunding scams. Its reporting illustrates how tips and public scrutiny can reveal deceptive campaigns. Documented cases provide examples of misconduct but do not independently establish the fraud rate across an entire platform. — Consumer Information Resource

Added September 30, 2026

GoFundMe — GoFundMe is an online crowdfunding platform commonly used to collect donations for personal hardships and community needs. Its campaigns include medical expenses, emergencies, and other appeals for assistance. Platform recognition and published protections should be considered alongside independent checks of each organizer and campaign. — Crowdfunding Platform

Added September 30, 2026

Gold Courier Scam — A gold courier scam instructs someone to buy precious metals as a supposed protective measure. The criminal arranges collection by a courier. The collection transfers the victim’s wealth to offenders rather than safeguarding it. – Financial Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gold Investment Scam — A gold investment scam falsely offers gold ownership, trading profits, or unusually favorable purchases. The operator supplies fabricated certificates or delivery promises. Investors pay for nonexistent gold, counterfeit material, or deceptive financial arrangements. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gold-Brick Game — A gold-brick game sells an object as valuable gold when its actual composition or value does not support that claim. The offender supplies misleading demonstrations, assurances, or circumstances suggesting a bargain. The buyer pays for supposed precious metal and receives a substantially worthless substitute. – Merchandise Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Golden SAML — Golden SAML abuses compromised signing authority to create forged identity assertions. Services that trust the signing material accept the attacker’s claims. The attack exploits the identity infrastructure’s trust relationship rather than each service’s password system. – Federated Identity Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Golden SAML — Golden SAML abuses compromised signing material to create fraudulent identity assertions. A relying service accepts the assertions when validation trusts the compromised issuer. The attack undermines federated access without requiring each victim’s password. – Identity Infrastructure Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Golden Ticket — A golden ticket is a forged Kerberos ticket created through compromise of critical domain authentication material. The forgery supports unauthorized access under attacker-selected identity claims. Its scope makes the underlying compromise especially serious. – Domain Authentication Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Golden Ticket — A golden ticket is a forged Kerberos authentication ticket created through compromise of sensitive domain key material. It grants unauthorized authentication capabilities within the affected environment. The attack targets the trust foundation of domain identity services. – Authentication Forgery

Added October 7, 2026

Google Impersonation Scam — A Google impersonation scam falsely claims problems involving accounts, business listings, or online visibility. The criminal demands fees or login information. The target pays for nonexistent services or loses control of an account. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Governance Expectations — Governance expectations describe members’ and leaders’ understandings of how a community makes decisions and assigns responsibilities. These expectations include who establishes rules, considers objections, and resolves disagreements. Clear explanations reduce conflict that develops when members assume decision-making rights that differ from the community’s actual arrangements. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Governing Authority — Governing authority describes the responsibility and decision-making power that a community’s organizational structure assigns to designated leaders or governing bodies. This authority covers matters such as membership requirements, service priorities, and rule enforcement. A member’s emotional attachment or informal influence does not automatically establish governing authority. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Government Agency Name Misuse — Government agency name misuse occurs when criminals invoke an official institution to make their demands appear legitimate. The timeshare operators used the names of Treasury and OFAC to support false payment requests. The name itself provides no proof that the caller works for the institution. — Fraud Tactics

Added October 11, 2026

Government Contract Opportunity Scam — A government contract opportunity scam falsely promises access to public procurement work. The operator demands registration, bidding, or consulting payments. Fabricated affiliations and guarantees conceal the absence of the promised contract access. – Business Opportunity Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Government enforcement — Government enforcement involves authorized public agencies or officials taking action over legal violations. Under the notification framework, the FTC and authorized state officials hold enforcement authority. Consumer complaints supply information for that process without giving each complainant control over the resulting government action. — Regulatory Enforcement

Added October 23, 2026

Government Grant Scam — A government grant scam promises funding that the target never legitimately received. The criminal requires advance payments for processing, taxes, or release. The supposed grant remains unavailable as additional demands accumulate. – Government Benefit Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Government Impersonation Scam — A government impersonation scam involves someone falsely claiming authority from a public agency. The criminal demands payment, information, or access using threats or promised benefits. Official-looking documents and spoofed contact details reinforce the deception. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Grandparent Scam — A grandparent scam impersonates a grandchild or someone assisting the grandchild during an emergency. The criminal requests immediate money and discourages family verification. Concern for the relative drives payment of the fabricated expense. – Family Emergency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Gray Box Testing — Gray box testing gives testers limited knowledge of a system’s internal structure or access arrangements. This approach combines external observation with selected internal information. It supports focused investigation while preserving some conditions that realistic attackers would encounter. – Security Testing

Added October 7, 2026

Green-Goods Game — A green-goods game is a historical swindle involving supposed counterfeit currency offered at a bargain. The offender displays convincing samples or promises a valuable supply. The purchaser receives worthless paper or substituted contents instead of the represented money. – Historical Currency Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Grief — Grief is the response to a meaningful loss, including lost relationships, money, confidence, or an expected future. Naming the particular loss helps distinguish personal sorrow from a global declaration that everything is hopeless. Recovery gives grief attention without requiring the survivor to deny other experiences that still have value. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Grift — Grift describes money-making activity based on swindling or dishonest manipulation. An offender obtains benefits by exploiting false claims, misplaced trust, or deceptive arrangements. The term identifies fraudulent activity broadly rather than one specific scheme. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Grifter — A grifter is a person who obtains money or other benefits through swindling. The offender relies on deception, manipulation, or dishonest representations to influence others. The term describes an offender rather than a particular scam type. – Offender Role

Added October 7, 2026

Grifting — Grifting describes engaging in swindles or deceptive schemes for personal gain. The offender presents a misleading identity, opportunity, service, or explanation to obtain cooperation. The activity ranges from brief encounters to organized operations involving multiple participants. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Grooming — Grooming is the deliberate process of building trust and emotional dependence to prepare a victim for exploitation. Scammers combine personal attention, shared interests, supporting stories, romantic promises, and isolation. They return to grooming whenever doubt or resistance threatens continued access to the victim. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Grounded outlook — A grounded outlook evaluates risks and possibilities through evidence rather than automatic pessimism or disregard. It supports verification, consistent relationships, and willingness to revise conclusions. The person acknowledges genuine difficulties while allowing useful actions and respectful experiences to count. — Recovery Outcomes

Added October 14, 2026

Group facilitation — Group facilitation is the structured guidance that keeps a support meeting purposeful, respectful, and relevant. The facilitator explains expectations, manages contributions, and checks whether a member wants listening, shared experience, or suggestions. This structure limits intrusive advice and protects voluntary participation. — Community Operations

Added October 16, 2026

Grover’s Algorithm — Grover’s algorithm searches an unstructured space through amplitude amplification. In the standard query model, it offers a quadratic reduction in queries compared with classical search. Its practical benefit also depends on the cost of implementing the required oracle. – Quantum Algorithms IBM Quantum Learning

Added October 7, 2026

Guaranteed Return Scam — A guaranteed return scam falsely promises investment profits without meaningful risk. The promoter conceals losses or invents protective arrangements. The guarantee persuades investors to overlook uncertainty and provide money under misleading conditions. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Guidance Clarification — Guidance clarification means asking questions to understand a recommendation before interpreting or acting on it. A survivor checks the meaning of a difficult comment rather than assuming criticism. Clarification supports honest discussion while reducing avoidable conflict and confusion. — Interpersonal Communication

Added October 12, 2026

Guilt appeals — Guilt appeals encourage continued interaction by making departure feel unkind or neglectful. A companion’s apparent sadness or loneliness places an emotional obligation on the user. The person then feels responsible for meeting needs that the commercial software presents as its own. — Manipulation Tactics

Added October 22, 2026

Gun violence trauma — Gun violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with firearm-related violence or credible threats. Witnessing shootings, surviving attacks, and losing loved ones are relevant contexts. The definition concerns psychological consequences rather than the physical wound itself. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hack-and-Leak Operation — A hack-and-leak operation combines unauthorized information access with deliberate disclosure. Operators release selected material to damage targets or influence audiences. Their presentation and timing shape the impact alongside the contents themselves. – Information Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Hack-and-Leak Operation — A hack-and-leak operation combines unauthorized acquisition of information with deliberate public disclosure. Operators select or

Added October 7, 2026

Hacker — A hacker explores or manipulates technical systems to understand or change their behavior. The term includes both authorized specialists and malicious actors. Purpose and authorization determine whether particular activity constitutes legitimate research or wrongdoing. – Technical Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Hacktivism — Hacktivism uses hacking-related activity to pursue political, ideological, or social objectives. Participants target systems or information to attract attention or exert pressure. A stated cause does not establish authorization for the methods they use. – Ideologically Motivated Activity

Added October 7, 2026

Hacktivist — A hacktivist conducts technical activity in support of a political or ideological objective. Actions include disruption, unauthorized access, and disclosure. The label describes motivation rather than the person’s technical skill or legal authority. – Threat Actor Types

Added October 7, 2026

Hadamard Gate — A Hadamard gate transforms computational basis states into equal-magnitude superpositions with specified relative phases. Applying it twice restores the original state. Quantum circuits use it to change measurement perspectives and establish interference patterns. – Quantum Gates

Added October 7, 2026

Halo Effect — The halo effect occurs when a favorable impression in one area influences judgments about unrelated qualities. Attractiveness, warmth, or apparent professional success leads an observer to assume honesty or competence without adequate evidence. Separating those qualities helps prevent admiration from becoming automatic acceptance of a claim. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Hamiltonian — A Hamiltonian is a mathematical operator that represents a quantum system’s energy and governs its evolution. Its structure describes relevant interactions and physical behavior. Quantum algorithms use Hamiltonians to model systems and formulate certain optimization problems. – Mathematical Foundations

Added October 7, 2026

Hamiltonian Simulation — Hamiltonian simulation reproduces the evolution that a specified Hamiltonian generates. Quantum algorithms approximate this behavior through controlled operations. The method supports research into physical systems whose dynamics create substantial challenges for classical computation. – Quantum Algorithms

Added October 7, 2026

Harassment-related trauma — Harassment-related trauma describes psychological trauma associated with severe or persistent unwanted intimidation or mistreatment. Threats, degrading conduct, and sustained targeting are relevant circumstances. The severity and context of exposure distinguish trauma from less enduring distress. — Victimization context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hash Collision — A hash collision occurs when two different inputs produce the same hash value. Collisions exist because finite output sizes represent larger sets of possible inputs. Cryptographic security requires algorithms that make finding useful collisions computationally impractical. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Hashing — Hashing calculates a representative value from input data through a defined algorithm. Cryptographic hashing supports security functions, while other hashing methods serve ordinary computing purposes. Hashing does not provide reversible encryption, although weakly protected inputs remain vulnerable to guessing. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Health Indifference — Health indifference is reduced concern about the consequences of neglected medical or personal needs. A person recognizes possible harm while showing little commitment to protecting health. This attitude requires assessment and does not alone establish a direct intention to die. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Health Insurance Scam — A health insurance scam misrepresents coverage, enrollment, or the identity of the seller. The operator collects premiums or sensitive information using false promises. Consumers discover that the advertised insurance does not exist or provides different benefits. – Health Coverage Scam Consumer Advice

Added October 7, 2026

Healthcare-related trauma — Healthcare-related trauma describes psychological trauma connected to receiving or encountering healthcare. Threatening treatment experiences, mistreatment, loss of autonomy, or frightening uncertainty are relevant contexts. The phrase identifies psychological harm associated with care and its circumstances. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Healthy Anticipation — Healthy anticipation involves preparing for a realistic future need or difficulty. It produces practical steps, such as collecting records, establishing boundaries, or arranging support. The preparation has a reasonable endpoint and leaves room for daily life afterward. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Heap Grooming — Heap grooming influences the arrangement of dynamically allocated memory. Attackers seek conditions that make a memory vulnerability more predictable. The technique supports exploitation rather than serving as the underlying vulnerability itself. – Memory Exploitation

Added October 7, 2026

Heap Spraying — Heap spraying places repeated or selected content across substantial areas of allocated memory. Attackers increase the likelihood that a vulnerable operation encounters useful material. The technique commonly supports other memory exploitation methods. – Memory Exploitation

Added October 7, 2026

Held-Out Data — Held-out data are examples reserved from a model’s training process for evaluating its performance. Testing on these examples examines how the model handles information it did not directly learn during training. Strong results still require consideration of whether the test examples represent changing real-world conditions. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

HHS.gov — HHS.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. It provides information about federal programs and agencies that protect health and support human services. Its resources cover public health, healthcare, research, and assistance for individuals and communities. The website helps visitors locate the appropriate department program or agency for a health-related concern. — Government Health and Human Services Resource HHS.gov

Added October 2, 2026

Hidden spending — Hidden spending involves concealing purchases or their total cost from other people. Within paid companionship, it becomes a warning sign when attachment drives expenses beyond intended limits. The concealment adds concern because the person continues paying while avoiding open acknowledgment of the financial consequences. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

High-Yield Investment Program Scam — A high-yield investment program scam promises extraordinary returns with little or no risk. The promoter uses impressive terminology and supposed payout records. The underlying operation involves theft, fabricated trading, or payments funded by new participants. – Investment Scam Investor.gov

Added October 7, 2026

Hilbert Space — A Hilbert space is the mathematical setting that contains quantum state vectors and their relationships. It provides concepts such as inner products, orthogonality, and normalization. The space for multiple qubits grows exponentially with the number of qubits. – Mathematical Foundations

Added October 7, 2026

Historical trauma — Historical trauma describes enduring collective harm associated with catastrophic oppression or violence experienced by a population. Its consequences are understood through historical loss, continuing injustice, and effects across generations. The concept does not assume that every descendant has the same psychological symptoms. — Historical context.

Added October 5, 2026

Historical trauma theory — Historical trauma theory examines enduring consequences of collective oppression and catastrophic historical harm. It connects historical losses with family, community, and contemporary social processes. Particular frameworks differ in how they explain transmission and present-day effects. — Theoretical framework.

Added October 5, 2026

Historical trauma transmission — Historical trauma transmission refers to pathways linking collective historical harm with later generations' experiences. Cultural memory, family processes, institutions, and persistent disadvantage are relevant mechanisms. The phrase does not require every descendant to show identical symptoms. — Transmission process.

Added October 5, 2026

Hitman Scam — A hitman scam threatens violence while claiming that payment will cancel an attack. The criminal supplies invented details to make the threat appear personal. Fear becomes the means of extracting money. – Extortion Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Repair Scam — A home repair scam obtains payment through false claims about necessary work or promised services. The contractor invents defects or abandons the project. The homeowner pays for unnecessary, incomplete, or nonexistent repairs. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Security System Scam — A home security system scam uses false claims about existing equipment, providers, or required upgrades. The operator impersonates a company or misrepresents a contract. The homeowner pays for unwanted, nonexistent, or deceptively sold services. – Home Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Home Title Protection Scam — A home title protection scam sells misrepresented protection against property fraud. The operator exaggerates guarantees or implies services prevent unauthorized transfers outright. Homeowners pay for nonexistent or materially overstated protection. – Property Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Homicide loss trauma — Homicide loss trauma describes psychological trauma associated with the killing of a significant person. Violence, frightening details, disrupted safety, and criminal proceedings shape the experience. Grief and trauma responses overlap without being interchangeable. — Loss context.

Added October 5, 2026

Homoglyph Attack — A homoglyph attack uses visually similar characters to imitate trusted text or identifiers. Differences remain technically real even when they appear nearly identical. Attackers exploit the resemblance in domains, usernames, and other displayed information. – Visual Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Honeynet — A honeynet is a network of monitored decoy systems that attracts or observes suspicious activity. Researchers and defenders use it to study techniques and collect evidence. Careful isolation prevents the decoys from becoming useful infrastructure for attackers. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Honeypot — A honeypot is a decoy resource that encourages attackers to reveal their activity. It appears valuable or accessible while defenders monitor interactions. Its purpose differs from ordinary production systems because meaningful interaction often provides a security signal. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Honeypot Token Scam — A honeypot token scam promotes a token that buyers cannot sell under the represented conditions. Hidden restrictions or malicious contract features trap purchasers. The organizers retain the ability to extract value while ordinary holders remain unable to exit. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Hopelessness — Hopelessness is the experience that improvement or a bearable future seems unavailable. It weakens the perceived purpose of seeking care or completing necessary tasks. The survivor’s inability to see useful possibilities requires support rather than agreement that those possibilities do not exist. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Hopelessness — Hopelessness is the expectation that meaningful improvement is unavailable. It discourages participation when the person assumes that assistance, effort, or connection will accomplish nothing. Persistent hopelessness accompanied by reduced interest, fatigue, or impaired functioning deserves clinical assessment and appropriate support. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 14, 2026

Hornswoggle — Hornswoggle is an informal verb meaning to cheat, deceive, or swindle someone. It describes a person obtaining an advantage through misleading claims or manipulation. The expression does not identify a distinct fraud mechanism or legal category. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Host-Based Firewall — A host-based firewall controls network traffic entering or leaving an individual device. Its rules address the device’s services, applications, and communication needs. This protection remains useful when the device operates beyond the organization’s central network defenses. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Host-Based Intrusion Detection System — A host-based intrusion detection system monitors a particular device for signs of unauthorized activity. It examines sources such as logs, files, and operating system events. The system generates alerts that require investigation and appropriate response. – Endpoint Security

Added October 7, 2026

Hostage trauma — Hostage trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with being held against one's will as leverage over others. Threatened death, uncertainty, confinement, and dependence on captors are common features. Its consequences vary and do not require an emotional bond with the captor. — Coercion context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hotel Booking Scam — A hotel booking scam takes payment for a reservation that the seller does not legitimately arrange. The operator impersonates a hotel or booking service. Travelers encounter nonexistent reservations or accommodations different from those promised. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Hotel Customer Service Scam — A hotel customer service scam falsely requests payment confirmation or replacement card details. The criminal impersonates hotel staff before or during a stay. The supposed booking problem becomes a reason to collect financial information. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

HTML Smuggling — HTML smuggling uses browser-supported functionality to assemble a file from content within a webpage or document. Attackers use the resulting file for malicious delivery. The technique obscures the delivered file from some inspection points earlier in the transfer. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Flood — An HTTP flood overwhelms a web service with large numbers of requests. Attackers target application processing or supporting resources. The requests sometimes resemble ordinary user activity, complicating separation of abuse from legitimate demand. – Application Disruption

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Parameter Pollution — HTTP parameter pollution supplies repeated or conflicting parameters that software components interpret differently. Attackers exploit inconsistent handling to alter application behavior. The weakness arises from disagreement about which parameter values govern an action. – Web Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Request Smuggling — HTTP request smuggling exploits disagreement between servers about where an HTTP request begins or ends. Attackers cause components to process traffic in unintended ways. The resulting confusion undermines request routing or security assumptions. – Web Infrastructure Attacks wstg.owasp.org

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Response Splitting — HTTP response splitting inserts content that causes software to interpret one response as multiple response elements. The attacker exploits inadequate handling of untrusted header data. The manipulation supports deceptive content or interference with intermediary systems. – Web Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

HTTP Strict Transport Security — HTTP Strict Transport Security instructs a browser to use HTTPS for a website under specified conditions. The policy reduces exposure to insecure HTTP connections and certain downgrade attempts. Its effectiveness depends on correct deployment and the browser’s knowledge of the policy. – Web Security

Added October 7, 2026

Human trafficking trauma — Human trafficking trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with trafficking for exploitation. Coercion, threats, captivity, violence, and dependence on traffickers are relevant experiences. Its psychological consequences extend beyond any physical injuries sustained. — Exploitation context.

Added October 5, 2026

Hurried Commitments — Hurried commitments are obligations accepted before sufficient consideration of their demands or consequences. Emotional pressure encourages agreement that later requires difficult adjustments. Taking time to assess capacity helps prevent an immediate decision from creating additional burdens. — Decision-Making

Added October 12, 2026

Hustle — Hustle describes a deceptive money-making scheme when the context involves fraud. An offender uses persuasion, pressure, or concealed manipulation to obtain a benefit. The word also describes legitimate energetic work, so context determines whether it refers to wrongdoing. – General Fraud Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Hybrid Encryption — Hybrid encryption combines asymmetric and symmetric cryptographic techniques. The asymmetric component establishes or protects key material, while symmetric encryption handles the larger data exchange. This arrangement joins convenient key distribution with efficient protection of substantial information. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing — Hybrid quantum-classical computing combines quantum processing with classical computation. A classical system prepares instructions, evaluates measurements, or updates parameters while quantum hardware performs selected operations. This division appears in variational algorithms and many experimental workflows. – Computing Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

I-GRIP — I-GRIP is INTERPOL’s Global Rapid Intervention of Payments mechanism for stop-payment cooperation through law enforcement. Police access it through appropriate official channels rather than a direct consumer application. Its existence does not establish that a particular transfer qualifies or that recovery will occur. — Law Enforcement Cooperation

Added October 18, 2026

IC3.gov — IC3.gov is the official website of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. It receives reports about suspected internet-enabled crimes, including online fraud, extortion, and computer intrusions. Submitted information supports analysis and sharing with relevant law enforcement partners. The website also publishes alerts and crime statistics, while submitting a complaint does not guarantee an individual investigation or repayment. — Government Cybercrime Reporting Resource Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)

Added October 2, 2026

ICE.gov/hsi — ICE.gov/hsi is the official online resource for Homeland Security Investigations, the investigative component of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. HSI investigates transnational crimes involving people, goods, money, and technology. Its responsibilities include investigations of cybercrime and other criminal activity crossing national borders. The website explains its work and provides official contact and crime-reporting information. — Government Transnational Crime Investigation Resource ICE

Added October 2, 2026

Idealized Expectations — Idealized expectations place unusually complete or transformative hopes in a future relationship or life arrangement. The expected outcome appears to answer many painful needs at once. Examining these expectations separates legitimate wishes from promises that lack a reliable basis. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Identifying information — Identifying information consists of details or documents that reveal personal identity or sensitive personal circumstances. Support communities discourage unnecessary sharing of identifying documents, financial account details, and information about other people. Limiting disclosure reduces exposure within a setting where member agreements do not guarantee privacy. — Privacy and Information Handling

Added October 16, 2026

Identity and Access Management — Identity and access management organizes digital identities and the permissions associated with them. Its processes cover account creation, authentication, access decisions, and account removal. Effective management ensures that access reflects current responsibilities and ends when authorization ends. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Dissonance — Identity dissonance describes tension between a person’s established sense of identity and experiences that challenge that understanding. A survivor who identifies as careful and independent struggles to reconcile that identity with having experienced manipulation. Rebuilding a coherent identity involves acknowledging the victimization without allowing the crime to define the entire person. — Identity Process

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Federation — Identity federation allows separate systems or organizations to rely on agreed identity information. A trusted identity provider supplies assertions that participating services evaluate. The arrangement simplifies access but requires clear trust relationships, secure exchanges, and controlled permissions. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Proofing — Identity proofing establishes confidence that a person corresponds to a claimed real-world identity. The process evaluates evidence and verification results before issuing or linking credentials. It differs from authentication, which checks identity claims during later access attempts. – Identity Verification

Added October 7, 2026

Identity Theft — Identity theft involves unauthorized use of another person’s identifying information. Criminals use the information to open accounts, obtain benefits, or impersonate the person. Cybersecurity controls reduce opportunities for theft, while recovery often requires correcting records across multiple organizations. – Identity Crime

Added October 7, 2026

Identity theft — Identity theft involves taking a real person’s identifying information or personal documents for deceptive use. Romance scammers use stolen identities to support fictional relationships and invented circumstances. Earlier victims sometimes become sources of the documents or identities criminals use against other people. — Identity Deception

Added October 15, 2026

Identity verification — Identity verification involves checking whether a person’s claimed identity corresponds with supporting information or evidence. It differs from notifying users after a platform imposes a fraud ban. A notification requirement alone does not establish that every account underwent identity checks or that its claims are trustworthy. — Platform Practices

Added October 23, 2026

Identity-based trauma — Identity-based trauma describes psychological harm connected to attacks on a person's social identity. Race, religion, sexuality, gender identity, or disability are relevant targets. The phrase identifies a context of harm rather than a single standardized diagnosis. — Identity context.

Added October 5, 2026

IdentityTheft.gov — IdentityTheft.gov is an official U.S. resource for addressing identity theft and related protective needs. The victim uses it when sensitive identity information has been shared or misused. Its guidance addresses identity protection alongside the separate tasks of fraud reporting and evidence organization. — Identity Protection

Added October 18, 2026

Illicit Fentanyl — Illicit fentanyl refers to fentanyl produced, distributed, or supplied outside lawful medical channels. Authorities identify its trafficking as a major component of CJNG’s criminal activity. This distinguishes the cartel’s drug business from legitimate medical use of regulated fentanyl products. — Illicit Drugs

Added October 11, 2026

Illicit Revenue — Illicit revenue is income generated through unlawful activities. Fraud payments become part of a criminal enterprise’s revenue when operators obtain them through deception. Identifying these income streams helps explain why authorities target the financial network alongside the underlying offenses. — Criminal Finance

Added October 11, 2026

Illusory Truth Effect — The illusory truth effect is the tendency for repeated statements to feel more truthful because they become familiar. Repetition increases the ease of processing a claim without necessarily improving its accuracy. A scammer’s repeated account therefore deserves verification rather than acceptance based on how familiar it sounds. — Thinking Pattern

Added October 3, 2026

Illustrative cost estimate — An illustrative cost estimate calculates spending from stated assumptions about activity, prices, and usage. It demonstrates the financial consequences of a particular scenario. It does not establish a typical customer’s bill or document what a specific person actually spent. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Illustrative Loss Calculations — Illustrative loss calculations apply an assumed rate to campaign totals or funding amounts to demonstrate a possible scale of harm. Their results depend on the assumptions used. They describe a scenario and should be distinguished from losses established through verified transactions, investigations, or comprehensive measurement. — Research and Evidence

Added September 30, 2026

Image File Execution Options Injection — Image File Execution Options injection abuses Windows settings that alter how designated programs start. Attackers associate malicious execution with a legitimate application. Routine program launches then trigger unauthorized activity. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Imagined relationship — An imagined relationship is the relationship the survivor believed existed on the basis of the criminal’s presentation. Its apparent identity, commitments, or future differed from the underlying deception. The survivor’s emotional investment remains real even when the relationship rested on false information. — Scam-Related Loss

Added October 18, 2026

Immediate relief — Immediate relief is the reduction in discomfort that follows an action such as cancelling an appointment or avoiding a conversation. The relief encourages repetition even when responsibilities and relationships suffer afterward. Examining both the immediate benefit and the later cost helps reveal why avoidance persists. — Psychological Processes

Added October 14, 2026

Immediate Relief Seeking — Immediate relief seeking prioritizes reducing current distress through an action that feels helpful in the moment. Recontacting a criminal or spending recklessly sometimes serves this purpose. Understanding the sought relief helps identify alternatives without ignoring the action’s later consequences. — Coping Patterns

Added October 13, 2026

Immigration Officer Scam — An immigration officer scam involves someone falsely claiming authority over immigration status or applications. The criminal threatens deportation or promises approval. Payments and sensitive documents become the objects of the deception. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Impaired concentration — Impaired concentration is difficulty sustaining attention or organizing information. It interferes with tasks such as completing paperwork, recording predictions, or evaluating decisions. Recovery practices address this difficulty through manageable scope and practical assistance rather than treating it as permanent incompetence. — Functional Difficulties

Added October 14, 2026

Impersonation — Impersonation occurs when a campaign falsely presents its organizer as another person or as someone authorized to represent a beneficiary. Criminals may use real names, photographs, and circumstances to support the deception. Confirming identity through an independent source helps establish whether the claimed connection exists. — Fraud Tactic

Added September 30, 2026

Impersonation — Impersonation is the deliberate presentation of oneself as another person or as a representative of an organization without authorization. Criminals imitate banks, government agencies, employers, and private individuals to borrow their credibility. Contact through independently obtained official channels helps evaluate whether the claimed affiliation is genuine. — Criminal Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Impersonation-as-a-Service — Impersonation-as-a-service supplies materials or tools that help customers imitate legitimate identities. Offerings include browser profiles, account access, and related identity information. Criminal customers use them to make unauthorized activity resemble the owner’s behavior. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Impulsive Reactions — Impulsive reactions are rapid responses made with limited consideration of facts or consequences. Fear, anger, or urgency drives action before the situation receives adequate examination. The resulting conflict, obligations, or renewed contact creates additional work during recovery. — Behavioral Patterns

Added October 12, 2026

Incident — A cybersecurity incident involves activity that jeopardizes or violates security requirements. Examples include unauthorized access, harmful disruption, and compromise of protected information. Organizations investigate incidents to determine scope, contain harm, and restore trustworthy operation. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Containment — Incident containment limits an active incident’s spread and consequences. Responders restrict affected accounts, systems, or communications according to the situation. Effective containment balances immediate protection with evidence preservation and the need to maintain essential services. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Eradication — Incident eradication removes the causes and remaining elements of a compromise. Responders address malicious software, unauthorized access, and exploited weaknesses. Thorough eradication reduces the likelihood that an attacker will regain access during or after recovery. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Recovery — Incident recovery returns affected systems and services to reliable operation. Responders restore information, verify security, and monitor for recurring problems. Recovery succeeds when operational restoration also addresses the conditions that allowed the incident. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incident Response — Incident response coordinates the actions an organization takes when a cybersecurity incident occurs. It includes preparation, investigation, containment, and recovery activities. Clear responsibilities and practiced procedures help responders act effectively under pressure. – Incident Response

Added October 7, 2026

Incoming funds — Incoming funds are money received by the victim during activity connected with the scam. Receipt alone does not establish that the money came from a legitimate source. The victim records the sender, amount, method, and any subsequent movement of the funds. — Financial Documentation

Added October 18, 2026

Incongruence — Incongruence means a mismatch between experiences, beliefs, feelings, or actions that do not fit together. It describes the conflict between what the survivor believed during the scam and what the evidence reveals afterward, as well as the distance between intellectual understanding and emotional attachment. The term identifies a lack of alignment rather than a diagnosis or a defect in the survivor’s character. Incongruence between knowledge and feeling appears when a survivor recognizes the criminal deception but still misses the supposed partner, longs for familiar messages, or feels protective toward the stolen identity. The person knows that the promised relationship lacked an honest foundation, yet the emotional bond retains its force. Those feelings do not disprove the evidence; they reveal that factual recognition and emotional adjustment follow different courses. Incongruence between self-image and experience appears when the survivor struggles to reconcile being careful, capable, or independent with decisions made under manipulation. A thought such as “I have always considered myself cautious, yet I trusted this person” captures that mismatch without establishing that the survivor lacks intelligence or judgment. Recovery involves developing an account that accommodates both personal strengths and the reality of exploitation, allowing decisions to follow established facts while feelings gradually adjust.

Added October 5, 2026

Independent legal advice — Independent legal advice is guidance from a qualified legal professional who assesses the victim’s circumstances. It holds particular importance when the victim received or moved money for someone else. The advice addresses the victim’s position separately from the criminal’s explanations or instructions. — Legal Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Independent Research — Independent research examines crowdfunding outcomes using evidence and methods beyond a platform’s public assurances. Its findings must still be assessed according to sample selection, definitions, and study limitations. Research on one campaign category does not automatically establish the same rate across every platform or fundraising purpose. — Research and Evidence

Added September 30, 2026

Independent source — An independent source provides relevant information through a connection separate from the person making the questionable claim. Another account or document introduced by the same sender does not automatically meet this requirement. The source needs a credible, separate relationship to the issue under examination. — Evidence Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

Independent Verification — Independent verification checks a claim through sources or contact channels outside the claimant’s control. It includes contacting an organization through its official website or a telephone number obtained separately. The process evaluates evidence rather than relying on the claimant’s reassurance or supplied documents. — Verification Practice

Added October 3, 2026

Independent Verification — Independent verification involves checking a claim through a trustworthy source separate from the person making it. A survivor uses established channels rather than relying on an unfamiliar sender’s assurances. This provides a practical basis for a decision without demanding certainty about every possible explanation. — Protective Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Independent verification — Independent verification involves checking a claim through reliable information beyond the person making it. It protects decisions from emotional pressure and unsupported promises. A survivor preserves hope more securely when important claims receive examination before financial commitments or other consequential actions. — Safety Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Independent verification — Independent verification checks a claim through a separate, established source or contact route. A survivor contacts the relevant relative, provider, or institution without relying solely on the questionable sender’s instructions. This process examines the identity or circumstances that matter to the immediate decision. — Verification Methods

Added October 17, 2026

Indicator of Attack — An indicator of attack describes behavior or circumstances associated with an attack in progress or preparation. Examples include suspicious sequences of access attempts or unusual execution patterns. Defenders interpret these signals in context to identify and interrupt malicious activity. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Indicator of Compromise — An indicator of compromise is an observable artifact associated with a potential or confirmed intrusion. Examples include suspicious file hashes, addresses, and account changes. Matching an indicator supports investigation but does not always establish the full incident or its cause. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Indicator Removal — Indicator removal deletes or changes evidence associated with an intrusion. Attackers alter records, artifacts, or other observable traces. The objective involves complicating detection, investigation, or reconstruction of events. – Evidence Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Indiegogo — Indiegogo is a crowdfunding platform used by creators seeking financial support for projects and products. Contributors may encounter campaigns promising technology that remains under development. A campaign’s presence on the platform does not establish that its product will be delivered or that every claim has been independently confirmed. — Crowdfunding Platform

Added September 30, 2026

Indirect Ownership — Indirect ownership exists when an ownership interest passes through one or more intervening entities. A person’s connection to a company therefore extends through other businesses rather than a single direct holding. Examining these chains helps identify relationships hidden behind multiple corporate layers. — Corporate Ownership

Added October 11, 2026

Indirect Threats to Survival — Indirect threats to survival are dangers arising through deterioration, untreated needs, or unsafe conditions rather than a direct fatal act. Progressive neglect introduces these risks even without a stated suicide plan. Assessment addresses the actual danger and the person’s understanding of it. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Indirect trauma exposure — Indirect trauma exposure refers to encountering trauma through another person's experience or traumatic material. Learning of certain events affecting close others and repeated occupational exposure are relevant clinical contexts. Not every upsetting story or media exposure meets diagnostic exposure criteria. — Exposure pattern.

Added October 5, 2026

Individual arbitration — Individual arbitration resolves a particular customer’s dispute through an arbitrator rather than a judge or jury. The process follows the governing agreement and applicable arbitration rules. Its availability does not establish that the customer will prevail or recover the full amount requested. — Legal Procedures

Added October 23, 2026

Informal Culture — Informal culture describes the unwritten habits, expectations, and social practices that develop within a community. Members learn these practices through repeated interactions and the behavior of influential participants. Conflict develops when informal customs contradict established rules or lead members to assume authority that the organization never assigned. — Group Dynamics

Added October 6, 2026

Informal Discretion — Informal discretion describes the freedom members exercise in areas that leaders have not closely regulated or clearly defined. Members sometimes grow accustomed to choosing discussion topics, shaping interactions, or influencing routines without explicit authorization. New limits create tension when members interpret their previous freedom as a permanent entitlement. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Information disclosure — Information disclosure is the sharing of personal, financial, or account-related details with another person. A request for disclosure requires examination of the recipient’s identity and the consequences of sharing. A survivor retains the right to withhold information without proving that the requester intends harm. — Privacy Protection

Added October 17, 2026

Information Security — Information security protects information and the systems that handle it against unauthorized or harmful activity. It applies to digital records as well as other information formats. Its central objectives include confidentiality, integrity, and availability. – Security Discipline

Added October 7, 2026

Infostealer — An infostealer is malware that collects valuable information from an affected device. Targets include credentials, browser records, and account-related files. Criminals sell the collected material or use it for further compromise. – Information-Stealing Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Infrastructure as Code Security — Infrastructure as code security addresses risks in files and processes that automatically create or configure technology resources. Weak templates spread insecure settings across many deployments. Organizations review code, protect credentials, and check resulting infrastructure against approved requirements. – Infrastructure Security

Added October 7, 2026

Inheritance Scam — An inheritance scam falsely claims that the target has a right to a deceased person’s assets. The criminal requests fees and documents to obtain the supposed estate. The promised inheritance never materializes. – Advance-Fee Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Inhibit System Recovery — Inhibit system recovery describes actions that interfere with restoring damaged systems or information. Attackers target recovery resources and supporting functions. The interference increases disruption and strengthens pressure during extortion. – Recovery Sabotage

Added October 7, 2026

Initial Access — Initial access is the first unauthorized entry into a target environment. Attackers obtain it through technical weaknesses, deception, or compromised credentials. Later actions depend on the permissions and opportunities available through that entry. – Attack Stages

Added October 7, 2026

Initial Access Broker — An initial access broker specializes in obtaining and selling entry to organizational environments. Customers commonly conduct later intrusion or extortion activities. The broker’s product consists of usable access rather than the final criminal outcome. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Initial contact — Initial contact is the first exchange between the scammer’s profile and the targeted person. It occurs through dating services, social media, email, forums, websites, or online games. Either person starts the exchange, but the criminal has prepared the deceptive identity to attract engagement. — Criminal Stages

Added October 15, 2026

Innocent photograph owner — An innocent photograph owner is an uninvolved person whose image the criminal used without responsibility for the deception. The survivor separates that person from the conduct associated with the presented identity. The farewell requires neither contacting the person nor investigating or following their life. — Identity Distinctions

Added October 18, 2026

Input tokens — Input tokens are technical units representing material that a language model receives for processing. That material includes prompts and relevant conversation content. Input-token charges belong to technical usage calculations and remain distinct from the purchasing credits that consumer platforms assign to features. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Input Validation — Input validation checks whether incoming data meets expected requirements before an application uses it. Checks address properties such as format, length, range, and permitted values. Validation supports security but does not replace context-specific protections such as output encoding or parameterized queries. – Application Security

Added October 7, 2026

Insecure Deserialization — Insecure deserialization processes untrusted serialized information without adequate safeguards. Attackers supply material that creates unintended objects or behavior. The resulting weakness exposes applications to unauthorized actions or code execution. – Application Vulnerabilities

Added October 7, 2026

Inside Man — An inside man is the confidence operator who performs the central authoritative role after another offender introduces the target. He appears to control the opportunity, possess special knowledge, or manage the business. His performance turns the introduction into a convincing fraudulent arrangement. – Confidence-Game Role

Added October 7, 2026

Insider Threat — An insider threat arises from someone with authorized access or a trusted relationship who causes or enables harm. The activity includes deliberate misconduct and damaging mistakes. Organizations address it through proportionate access controls, oversight, training, and fair investigative procedures. – Threat Classification

Added October 7, 2026

Insidious trauma — Insidious trauma describes cumulative psychological harm associated with persistent oppression, devaluation, or marginalization. The harm develops through recurring experiences rather than one clearly bounded catastrophe. It is a theoretical and descriptive concept rather than a formal diagnosis. — Social context.

Added October 5, 2026

Installer Hijacking — Installer hijacking interferes with a software installation process to introduce attacker-controlled behavior. Attackers alter packages, dependencies, or components that the installer uses. The trusted installation workflow then assists the compromise. – Software Installation Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Institutional betrayal trauma — Institutional betrayal trauma describes trauma associated with harmful action or failure by a trusted institution. Examples include concealment of abuse, retaliation against reporting, or refusal to provide expected protection. It emphasizes the psychological consequences of violated institutional trust. — Institutional context.

Added October 5, 2026

Insurance Company Impersonation Scam — An insurance company impersonation scam uses false contact about policies, claims, or coverage. The criminal requests payments or sensitive documents. Fabricated urgency makes the target fear losing protection or an expected settlement. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Integrity — Integrity means preserving information or systems against improper alteration or destruction. It supports confidence that content and behavior remain consistent with authorized expectations. Security controls detect or prevent changes that undermine that confidence. – Information Security

Added October 7, 2026

Intellectualization — Intellectualization involves using analysis or explanation to create distance from vulnerable feelings. A survivor discusses why people disappoint while leaving their own grief or shame unexplored. Detailed reasoning becomes relevant to this defense when it repeatedly replaces emotional acknowledgment or useful action. — Coping and Defense Mechanisms

Added October 14, 2026

Intention to Die — Intention to die means death is a desired outcome of a person’s contemplated or chosen behavior. It differs from feeling indifferent to risk or failing to understand danger. Qualified assessment explores intention directly instead of assuming it from neglect or its consequences. — Health and Safety

Added October 13, 2026

Inter-Process Communication Abuse — Inter-process communication abuse misuses channels that software processes use to exchange information. Attackers exploit weak permissions or unsafe handling of messages. The interaction causes unauthorized behavior across a process boundary. – Execution Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Interests in Property — Interests in property include rights or stakes connected to an asset, rather than only outright possession of it. The sanctions announcement applies restrictions to both property and covered interests in property. This wording addresses financial relationships that extend beyond a named person physically holding money. — Financial Sanctions

Added October 11, 2026

Intergenerational trauma — Intergenerational trauma refers to trauma-related effects extending from one generation to another. Family relationships, parenting, social conditions, and continuing adversity are important transmission pathways. Biological pathways remain an area of research rather than a complete explanation. — Generational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Intergenerational trauma transmission — Intergenerational trauma transmission refers to pathways connecting one generation's trauma with outcomes in the next. Parenting, family relationships, material conditions, and continuing adversity are important mechanisms. Proposed biological mechanisms require distinction from established inheritance of specific memories. — Transmission process.

Added October 5, 2026

Internal pressure — Internal pressure is the demand for immediate resolution that arises within a person rather than from another person’s instructions. A survivor feels driven to answer because uncertainty or discomfort feels difficult to tolerate. Recognizing this pressure supports a deliberate response without treating the feeling as an external deadline. — Emotional Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Internal structure — Internal structure is the personal organization that supports decisions, responsibilities, and continuity across the day. Trauma-related distress disrupts this organization when concentration fragments and ordinary activities lose their sequence. External routines and supportive contact provide assistance while the survivor rebuilds dependable functioning. — Psychological Processes

Added October 15, 2026

International Narcotics Trafficking — International narcotics trafficking involves the unlawful movement or distribution of controlled drugs across national borders. Authorities describe CJNG as a significant participant in this activity. Its cross-border operations help explain the involvement of agencies from more than one country. — Organized Crime

Added October 11, 2026

Internet Crime Complaint Center — The Internet Crime Complaint Center, commonly called IC3, is the FBI’s online reporting center for internet-related crime. Authorities direct victims of the Mexican timeshare scheme to submit complaints through it. A complaint supplies information for assessment and does not itself guarantee an investigation or reimbursement. — Crime Reporting

Added October 11, 2026

Internet Crime Complaint Center — The Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, receives reports of internet-enabled crime for the FBI. It accepts complaints from U.S. residents and people outside the United States. It reviews and refers information as appropriate without providing individual investigative status updates. — Reporting Agencies

Added October 18, 2026

Internet Crime Complaint Center — The Internet Crime Complaint Center, known as IC3, receives reports of internet-enabled crime through the FBI’s reporting system. A victim’s submission documents information about the suspected offense and associated losses. Filing an IC3 report remains separate from contacting a bank, preserving evidence, or obtaining a local police report. — Reporting and Evidence

Added October 23, 2026

Internet Love Scam — An internet love scam uses online communication to develop a deceptive romantic relationship. The criminal creates attachment through attention, personal stories, and promises of a shared future. Requests for money or other assistance convert that attachment into exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Internet of Things Security — Internet of Things security protects connected devices such as sensors, appliances, and industrial equipment. These devices often combine constrained resources with long operating lives. Effective protection addresses credentials, updates, communications, physical exposure, and the services that support them. – Device Security

Added October 7, 2026

Interpersonal Dissonance — Interpersonal dissonance describes a perceived mismatch between people’s beliefs, expectations, emotions, or interpretations within a relationship. A survivor seeks compassionate listening while a family member responds with criticism or demands for immediate progress. Clarifying the differing expectations helps identify the source of tension and establish more constructive communication. — Relationship Dynamics

Added October 7, 2026

Interpersonal trauma — Interpersonal trauma refers to trauma arising from harm inflicted by another person or people. It includes abuse, assault, exploitation, and other violations of personal safety. The involvement of human intention introduces questions about trust, accountability, and relationships. — Relational context.

Added October 5, 2026

Interpretation — An interpretation is the meaning or explanation a person assigns to an event. It includes conclusions about another person’s motives, the future, or personal obligations. Examining the evidence behind that meaning helps a survivor distinguish a reasonable explanation from an unsupported conclusion. — Thinking Processes

Added October 17, 2026

Intimate partner violence trauma — Intimate partner violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with abuse by a current or former intimate partner. Physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, and coercive psychological abuse are relevant behaviors. Betrayal and constrained freedom frequently shape the survivor's experience. — Abuse context.

Added October 5, 2026

Intrapersonal Dissonance — Intrapersonal dissonance describes conflict within an individual’s beliefs, feelings, motives, or expectations. A survivor wants to accept the evidence of deception while also wanting to preserve the relationship’s emotional meaning. The term describes an internal inconsistency and does not establish a diagnosis or explain its cause by itself. — Internal Conflict

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusion Detection System — An intrusion detection system monitors activity for signs of attacks or policy violations. It examines network traffic, host events, or other relevant information. Detection produces alerts for investigation rather than necessarily stopping the activity itself. – Threat Detection

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusion Prevention System — An intrusion prevention system detects selected threats and takes action to block or interrupt them. It often operates directly in the path of network traffic. Careful configuration reduces both missed attacks and unnecessary disruption of legitimate activity. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Intrusive memories — Intrusive memories are unwanted recollections that enter awareness without deliberate recall. Persistent experiences of this kind warrant professional attention when they contribute to substantial distress or impairment. Community supporters recognize the concern and arrange appropriate referral without diagnosing its cause. — Trauma-Related Experiences

Added October 16, 2026

Invalid Cues — Invalid cues are signs that people treat as meaningful indicators even though they do not adequately support the conclusion drawn. Nervousness and avoided eye contact illustrate cues that do not reliably establish lying. Recognizing their limitations prevents an emotional impression from receiving the status of evidence. — Deception Assessment

Added October 3, 2026

Investigative referral — An investigative referral directs information to another agency or unit for consideration. It reflects a transfer of information rather than a promise that an investigation will begin. The victim asks where the referral went and records any instructions for further contact. — Law Enforcement Procedures

Added October 18, 2026

Investigator instructions — Investigator instructions direct how reported crime records or devices should remain available. The survivor follows those instructions before altering material connected with the investigation. Questions about unclear evidentiary importance require appropriate assistance rather than impulsive deletion or destruction. — Evidence Management

Added October 18, 2026

Investment Scam — An investment scam uses false or materially misleading claims to obtain investment funds. The promoter misrepresents profits, risks, assets, or management. Investors lose money through theft, fabricated operations, or concealed misuse of funds. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Invoice Scam — An invoice scam requests payment for goods or services that the recipient did not legitimately purchase. The criminal supplies plausible billing details. Routine payment procedures allow the false charge to pass without meaningful scrutiny. – Business Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

IP Spoofing — IP spoofing falsifies the source address in internet protocol traffic. Attackers use it to disguise origins or support attacks that exploit trust in addresses. Network filtering reduces some misuse, while authentication provides stronger identity assurance than an address alone. – Network Attack

Added October 7, 2026

Irritability — Irritability is an increased tendency to feel annoyed or respond sharply to ordinary difficulties. It adds strain to conversations when frustration rises quickly. Recognizing the pattern supports discussion of symptoms and more thoughtful responses to interpersonal stress. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 12, 2026

IRS Impersonation Scam — An IRS impersonation scam uses a false claim of contact from the Internal Revenue Service. The criminal alleges unpaid taxes or offers a fabricated refund. Threats, payment instructions, and information requests serve the theft. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

IRS.gov — IRS.gov is the official website of the Internal Revenue Service, the federal agency responsible for administering and enforcing federal tax laws. It provides tax forms, filing guidance, payment information, and taxpayer resources. The website also explains tax scams, impersonation tactics, and procedures for reporting suspicious tax-related messages. Its official guidance helps taxpayers check claims about taxes, refunds, and supposed IRS demands. — Government Tax Information and Fraud Resource Internal Revenue Service

Added October 2, 2026

Isolation — Isolation separates systems, processes, or resources to restrict interaction and contain harm. Organizations use network boundaries, execution controls, and dedicated environments for this purpose. Effective isolation defines permitted exchanges and verifies that unintended paths do not bypass the separation. – Security Architecture

Added October 7, 2026

Isolation — Isolation is the deliberate weakening of a victim’s connections with people who question the relationship or offer warnings. Scammers encourage secrecy and portray relatives or friends as threats to the supposed romance. This separation increases the criminal’s influence and limits opportunities for an outside perspective. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Jalisco — Jalisco is a Mexican state that includes Puerto Vallarta. It forms part of the geographic setting for the CJNG-linked timeshare network described by authorities. A business address in Jalisco alone does not establish criminal involvement or identify every local business as fraudulent. — Geographic Context

Added October 11, 2026

JavaScript Skimmer — A JavaScript skimmer is malicious browser-executed code that captures information from webpages. It commonly targets payment forms and related customer input. Attackers place it in compromised websites or dependencies that those websites load. – Web Data Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Job loss — Job loss removes employment and the income, schedule, and regular activity associated with it. During recovery, that disruption places additional pressure on routines that already require effort to maintain. Replacing lost structure and addressing practical needs helps prevent the crisis from dominating every part of daily life. — Practical Consequences

Added October 15, 2026

Job Offer Scam — A job offer scam advertises employment that does not exist as represented. The criminal requests money, identity documents, or financial transactions during recruitment. The supposed hiring process becomes the mechanism for theft or exploitation. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Job Training Fee Scam — A job training fee scam promises employment after the applicant purchases required instruction. The operator misrepresents the job or the training’s necessity. Payment does not produce the promised hiring opportunity. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Joint Economic Committee — The Joint Economic Committee is a congressional committee that examines economic matters and related policy issues. Its investigative work includes reports addressing dating-platform fraud and company practices. A committee report supplies evidence and analysis without itself imposing a court judgment or new legal obligation. — Legislative Process

Added October 23, 2026

Josephson Junction — A Josephson junction connects superconducting materials through a weak link, often a thin insulating barrier. Its electrical behavior provides the nonlinearity that many superconducting qubits require. Engineers incorporate these junctions into circuits that create controllable quantum energy levels. – Quantum Hardware

Added October 7, 2026

JSON Web Token — A JSON Web Token, or JWT, represents claims in a compact format for exchange between systems. Depending on its construction, it uses signing, message authentication, or encryption. Encoded content alone provides no confidentiality, and recipients must validate applicable security properties. – Authentication Technology rfc-editor.org

Added October 7, 2026

Jurisdiction — Jurisdiction concerns an authority’s legal responsibility or power to address particular conduct. Location and applicable law affect which agency receives or handles a report. The victim asks for the correct reporting destination when an agency explains that another authority should receive the complaint. — Legal Framework

Added October 18, 2026

Jury Duty Scam — A jury duty scam falsely claims that someone missed jury service and faces penalties. The criminal demands immediate payment or identifying information. Fabricated warrants and court references make an invented obligation appear urgent. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Justice.gov — Justice.gov is the official website of the United States Department of Justice. It provides information about federal law enforcement, legal proceedings, departmental responsibilities, and enforcement initiatives. The department includes federal prosecutors and agencies that investigate and prosecute crimes. Its website helps readers locate official information about federal cases and identify relevant departmental offices and resources. — Government Justice and Law Enforcement Resource United States Department of Justice

Added October 2, 2026

Kerberoasting — Kerberoasting obtains Kerberos service-ticket material for attempts to recover associated account secrets. Attackers exploit access to tickets and weak password protection. The technique targets service-account credentials rather than directly defeating every part of Kerberos. – Credential Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Kernel Exploitation — Kernel exploitation targets weaknesses in an operating system’s privileged core. Successful attacks obtain capabilities beyond ordinary application permissions. The impact includes extensive control over system behavior and security enforcement. – Privileged Exploitation

Added October 7, 2026

Key Derivation Function — A key derivation function produces cryptographic key material from an input secret and other parameters. Different functions address different needs, including password-based protection and protocol key generation. Correct selection and configuration help resist guessing and inappropriate key reuse. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Exchange — Key exchange establishes cryptographic key material between communicating parties. Secure protocols address interception and the identity of participating endpoints. The resulting keys then support protected communication, although the exchange’s security depends on its design and implementation. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Management — Key management governs the creation, storage, distribution, use, and retirement of cryptographic keys. Its procedures protect keys throughout their lifecycle. Poor management undermines otherwise strong encryption by exposing secrets or leaving obsolete access available. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Key Rotation — Key rotation replaces cryptographic keys according to policy or security needs. The process limits reliance on the same key over extended periods and addresses suspected exposure. Organizations coordinate replacement carefully so that legitimate access and protected information remain available. – Cryptography

Added October 7, 2026

Keyboard Injection — Keyboard injection introduces attacker-selected input as though a keyboard or user supplied it. Attackers abuse input interfaces or software pathways. The device interprets the injected actions within the current user’s available context. – Input Device Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Keylogger — A keylogger records keystrokes from a keyboard or related input process. Malicious operators use it to capture passwords, messages, and other sensitive information. Some legitimate monitoring tools provide similar functions, making authorization and context important to assessment. – Surveillance Software

Added October 7, 2026

Kickstarter — Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform where backers pledge money toward creative projects and proposed products. Funded projects can fail to deliver their promised rewards. Backers should assess the creator’s evidence and applicable terms because financial support carries risks that differ from purchasing an available product. — Crowdfunding Platform

Added September 30, 2026

Kill Chain — A kill chain organizes an attack into connected stages. Analysts use the model to understand how preparation leads to compromise and consequences. The framework helps identify intervention points without requiring every attack to follow one fixed sequence. – Attack Analysis

Added October 7, 2026

Knowledge as a counterweight — Knowledge as a counterweight describes the protective value of understanding recurring recovery difficulties. A survivor recognizes familiar thought patterns, prepares for anniversaries, and develops a response to difficult nights. This familiarity supports more informed action without guaranteeing that later crises will be painless or easy. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Land Banking Scam — A land banking scam sells plots using misleading claims about development approval or future value. The promoter suggests that planning changes will produce substantial profits. Buyers acquire unsuitable or overpriced land without the represented prospects. – Investment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Landlord Impersonation Scam — A landlord impersonation scam involves someone falsely claiming authority over an existing rental property. The criminal requests rent, deposits, or banking changes. Tenants send money to someone unrelated to the legitimate rental arrangement. – Housing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Language assistance — Language assistance helps a victim communicate with an agency when language differences interfere with reporting. It supports understanding of questions, instructions, and the information being recorded. The victim asks about available assistance before the conversation or when communication difficulties emerge. — Reporting Assistance

Added October 18, 2026

Large catastrophe — A large catastrophe is a major event that substantially disrupts the survivor’s existing stability. Examples include financial collapse, job loss, another betrayal, or public humiliation. Its effects depend partly on the routines, relationships, and assistance available around the crisis. — Recovery Challenges

Added October 15, 2026

Large request strategy — The large request strategy seeks substantial payments for major expenses or complicated financial problems. Scammers describe medical bills, legal costs, business difficulties, or investments in nonexistent companies. The request draws on trust established during grooming to make a significant financial commitment seem justified. — Financial Exploitation

Added October 15, 2026

Late-life trauma — Late-life trauma refers to trauma experienced during older adulthood. Threatening victimization, abuse, or overwhelming medical experiences are possible contexts. Its effects interact with existing health conditions, prior experiences, social support, and changes in independence. — Life stage.

Added October 5, 2026

Lateral Movement — Lateral movement extends an attacker’s access from one resource to others within an environment. Operators use available relationships, credentials, or weaknesses to reach additional systems. The process expands the intrusion beyond its original entry point. – Attack Objectives attack.mitre.org

Added October 7, 2026

Laundering-as-a-Service — Laundering-as-a-service helps criminals conceal or transform proceeds through a commercial arrangement. Providers organize transactions, intermediaries, or supporting infrastructure. Their work separates the original crime from the eventual use of its proceeds. – Criminal Financial Services

Added October 7, 2026

Law enforcement delay — A law enforcement delay postpones a fraud warning at the request of investigators protecting an active case. The delay concerns the timing of notification rather than a permanent cancellation of the duty. The notification framework establishes a deadline after the requested delay ends. — Regulatory Enforcement

Added October 23, 2026

Leak Site — A leak site publishes or advertises stolen information. Extortion groups use these sites to pressure victims and demonstrate possession of data. Listings also attract buyers or audiences interested in the exposed material. – Extortion Infrastructure

Added October 7, 2026

Least Privilege — Least privilege gives an identity only the access necessary for its authorized responsibilities. The principle applies to people, applications, and system processes. Limiting privileges reduces both accidental damage and the opportunities available after an account compromise. – Access and Identity Management

Added October 7, 2026

Legal Settlement Scam — A legal settlement scam falsely announces compensation from litigation or a negotiated claim. The criminal demands fees, taxes, or bank details. The supposed settlement does not produce the advertised payment. – Legal Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Legitimate Objections — Legitimate objections raise relevant concerns about a community decision, its effects, or the process leaders used to reach it. Members express these concerns through requests for explanations, evidence, or reconsideration. Leaders distinguish substantive objections from demands for personal control by examining the concern and the behavior surrounding it. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Lethargic — Lethargic describes a state of unusual tiredness, drowsiness, or sluggishness that reduces a person’s energy and readiness to act. The word applies to physical movement, mental activity, or both. It describes a condition rather than establishing laziness, unwillingness, or a particular diagnosis. Lethargic entered English in the late fourteenth century through Latin lethargicus, from Greek lēthargikos, meaning drowsy or affected by lethargy. Its underlying Greek word, lēthargos, is traditionally explained as combining lēthē, meaning forgetfulness or oblivion, with argos, meaning idle or inactive. This gives the historical sense of inactivity associated with forgetfulness or dulled awareness. The connection to the River Lethe comes through that shared Greek word, lēthē. In classical mythology, Lethe was the river of forgetfulness in the underworld, whose waters caused those who drank them to forget. The river’s name and lethargic therefore share a linguistic foundation. The myth gives the word a powerful image: a person moving through life as though wakefulness, memory, and initiative have grown distant. That is a literary interpretation of its origins, while its modern meaning centers on diminished energy, alertness, and activity.

Added October 18, 2026

Liability cap — A liability cap is a contractual provision that attempts to limit the amount a company must pay for covered claims. Its wording affects the financial stakes of a dispute. Applicable law and the nature of the alleged conduct determine whether the limitation applies or remains enforceable. — Legal Concepts

Added October 23, 2026

Lie-Detection Accuracy — Lie-detection accuracy measures the proportion of judgments that correctly identify statements as truthful or deceptive. Overall accuracy combines the successful identification of truths and lies, which sometimes differ substantially. A complete interpretation examines both types of judgment and the conditions under which the results were obtained. — Research Measurement

Added October 3, 2026

Lifetime trauma exposure — Lifetime trauma exposure refers to traumatic experiences encountered across a person's life. Assessment examines both early experiences and later events. Its meaning depends on the exposure definition and measurement approach used. — Exposure assessment.

Added October 5, 2026

Light — Light is a metaphor for returning enjoyment, clarity, connection, and participation after betrayal. It appears through ordinary experiences such as a satisfying meal, genuine laughter, or a conversation without judgment. These experiences add substance to recovery even while grief and practical difficulties remain. — Recovery Metaphors

Added October 15, 2026

Liminality — Liminality describes an in-between state in which the former life or identity no longer fits, while a new sense of stability has not yet taken shape. The word comes from the idea of a threshold, a passage between one state and another. Applied to recovery, it offers an anthropological lens for understanding transition rather than a clinical diagnosis. Liminality after discovery involves living between the relationship the survivor believed existed and the reality the evidence now reveals. The person recognizes the deception while still carrying attachments, routines, expectations, and plans that developed during the scam. The former story no longer provides a credible direction, but the survivor has not yet established what will replace it, creating a sense of uncertainty about belonging, identity, and the future. Liminality during recovery concerns the gradual movement toward a life that acknowledges the crime without organizing every decision around it. Familiar roles and priorities require reconsideration, while new boundaries, relationships, and sources of meaning develop through experience. This transition does not follow a fixed timetable or require the survivor to remain suspended until every difficult feeling disappears; practical participation in life helps give the emerging future shape. Another word for Liminality is Purgatory.

Added October 5, 2026

Limited reminder contact — Limited reminder contact means choosing how much exposure to scam-related material occurs during the farewell. The survivor uses a small amount of material, keeps a photograph face down, or asks a trusted person to handle it. The exercise does not require reviewing the entire relationship. — Reminder Management

Added October 18, 2026

Liquidity Mining Scam — A liquidity mining scam falsely promises rewards for supplying cryptocurrency to a platform or pool. The criminal disguises asset access as participation in decentralized finance. Deposited assets or granted permissions allow the offender to steal funds. – Cryptocurrency Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Lived experience — Lived experience is understanding gained through personally experiencing victimization and recovery. Peers draw on that understanding to offer recognition, mutual respect, and relevant examples. Its value remains distinct from the qualifications required for clinical assessment or psychotherapy. — Peer Support Foundations

Added October 16, 2026

Living off the Land — Living off the land describes attackers’ use of legitimate tools and existing system capabilities for malicious purposes. Familiar utilities help the activity blend into ordinary operations. Defenders examine context and behavior because the presence of an approved tool does not establish legitimate use. – Attack Technique

Added October 7, 2026

Loader — A loader starts or introduces another software component into an execution environment. Malicious loaders prepare conditions for a later payload. Their supporting role separates access or concealment functions from the malware’s principal activity. – Malware Components

Added October 7, 2026

Loan Modification Scam — A loan modification scam promises changed repayment terms through misrepresented assistance. The operator charges fees or instructs the borrower to redirect payments. The promised modification never occurs as represented. – Debt Service Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Local File Inclusion — Local file inclusion causes an application to incorporate files from its own accessible environment through attacker-influenced references. Weak restrictions expose information or unintended processing. The consequences depend on available files and the application’s handling behavior. – Web Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Local Security Authority Secrets — Local Security Authority secrets are sensitive Windows values that support authentication and system functions. Attackers seek them after obtaining sufficient access. Exposure provides material for further account compromise or movement within an environment. – Credential Storage Targets

Added October 7, 2026

Log Clearing — Log clearing removes recorded events from a system or application. Attackers erase records to reduce evidence of their actions. Investigators compare remaining sources because missing logs do not establish that no activity occurred. – Evidence Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Log Management — Log management collects, stores, protects, and organizes records of system activity. It supports troubleshooting, security monitoring, and investigation. Effective arrangements address retention, reliable timestamps, access restrictions, and the ability to retrieve relevant events promptly. – Security Monitoring

Added October 7, 2026

Log Poisoning — Log poisoning inserts attacker-controlled material into records that software later reads or processes. The content manipulates interpretation or triggers unsafe handling. The weakness involves treating recorded information as more trustworthy than its original source. – Record Manipulation

Added October 7, 2026

Logic Bomb — A logic bomb is malicious functionality that activates when a specified condition occurs. Triggers include dates, events, or changes in system state. The delayed activation allows harmful code to remain unnoticed until the condition causes its intended action. – Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Logical Qubit — A logical qubit represents quantum information within an encoding that uses physical qubits or other physical resources. Error correction protects the encoded information against specified faults. The resource requirements depend on the code, hardware quality, and desired reliability. – Quantum Error Correction

Added October 7, 2026

Logon Script Abuse — Logon script abuse alters scripts that run when a user signs in. Attackers attach unauthorized actions to an expected event. The legitimate login process then provides repeated opportunities for malicious execution. – Persistence Techniques

Added October 7, 2026

Long Con — A long con develops over an extended period rather than relying on a single brief encounter. The offenders build trust, supply convincing details, and gradually prepare the target for a substantial commitment. The duration supports the deception but does not determine a fixed minimum number of days. – Elaborate Confidence Game

Added October 7, 2026

Long Firm Fraud — Long firm fraud uses an apparently legitimate business that builds a record of paying suppliers before ordering substantially more goods. The offenders exploit the creditworthiness created by those earlier transactions. They obtain the larger deliveries, disappear without paying, and sell the goods elsewhere. – Business Credit Fraud

Added October 7, 2026

Long game — The long game describes recovery as sustained work that extends beyond the earliest crisis. The survivor develops familiarity with recurring difficulties and continues strengthening routines, relationships, and practical responses. Its emphasis rests on maintaining participation rather than expecting one decision or intervention to complete recovery. — Recovery Processes

Added October 15, 2026

Lookalike Domain — A lookalike domain resembles the name of a legitimate organization or service. Criminals rely on recipients overlooking the distinction. The domain supports deceptive messages, counterfeit websites, and other forms of impersonation. – Domain Impersonation

Added October 7, 2026

Loss of expected future — Loss of expected future is the grief associated with plans that depended on the deceptive relationship. Anticipated companionship, reunion, or a shared home disappears when the criminal’s promises become clear. Recovery includes recognizing this loss as meaningful even though the promised relationship was fabricated. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 15, 2026

Loss of Interest — Loss of interest is a reduction in engagement with activities that previously mattered or provided satisfaction. It appears among the depressive symptoms affecting daily life. Its impact requires attention when ordinary care and responsibilities also lose their perceived importance. — Physical and Emotional Symptoms

Added October 13, 2026

Loss of the Imagined Relationship — Loss of the imagined relationship occurs when discovery reveals that the believed partnership rested on deception. The survivor loses companionship as they understood it, although the criminal manufactured the relationship. The resulting distress does not make the original deception a genuine mutual attachment. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Loss of the Promised Future — Loss of the promised future is the collapse of expected marriage, security, reunion, or rescue after discovery of deception. The loss removes a direction around which the survivor organized hope. Support helps establish real possibilities without reconnecting the person to the criminal. — Emotional Experiences

Added October 13, 2026

Lost Luggage Scam — A lost luggage scam falsely offers recovery or compensation for missing baggage. The criminal requests processing fees or sensitive information. The traveler pays without receiving the promised luggage assistance or reimbursement. – Travel Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Lottery Scam — A lottery scam falsely announces that the target has won a prize. The criminal requests fees, taxes, or financial information before release. The supposed winnings never arrive despite repeated payments. – Prize Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Love bombing — Love bombing is an intense flood of affection, attention, and romantic language delivered over a short period. The emotional intensity accelerates attachment and leaves less space for careful consideration. Scammers use this tactic to strengthen influence before introducing financial demands or other forms of control. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Love Scam — A love scam exploits a deceptive romantic connection to obtain money, information, or other benefits. The criminal manufactures intimacy and presents financial requests as obligations within the relationship. The survivor’s feelings are real even though the offender’s represented identity or intentions are false. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Low-and-Slow Attack — A low-and-slow attack spreads activity across time to reduce obvious spikes or thresholds. Operators seek progress without attracting attention through volume alone. Detection requires examination of patterns and relationships over longer periods. – Detection Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Low-stakes decision — A low-stakes decision involves limited consequences compared with choices affecting substantial money, account access, or safety. Ordinary preferences and routine social responses provide examples. These decisions offer manageable opportunities to practice judgment without applying an intensive investigation to every interaction. — Risk Evaluation

Added October 17, 2026

LSASS Memory Dumping — LSASS memory dumping extracts information from the Windows Local Security Authority Subsystem Service’s memory. Attackers search the collected material for valuable authentication data. The technique’s results depend on privileges, protections, and the system’s configuration. – Credential Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Luxury Goods Authentication Scam — A luxury goods authentication scam supplies false assurances that an item is genuine. The operator uses fabricated certificates or expert claims. Buyers purchase counterfeit or misrepresented goods at prices based on false authenticity. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Magic State Distillation — Magic state distillation converts multiple imperfect resource states into fewer, higher-quality states. Fault-tolerant systems use these states to implement operations beyond their basic protected gate set. The procedure introduces significant resource costs but supports universal computation. – Fault-Tolerant Methods

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious App Scam — A malicious app scam promotes an application that conceals harmful functions or deceptive charges. The criminal advertises a useful service or opportunity. Installation exposes the user to stolen information, unauthorized transactions, or fraudulent demands. – Digital Application Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Attachment — A malicious attachment is a message attachment that delivers harmful content or facilitates compromise. It includes infected files, deceptive documents, and content that directs recipients toward unsafe actions. Attackers rely on trust, urgency, or curiosity to encourage opening it. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Browser Extension — A malicious browser extension performs unauthorized actions through browser permissions or vulnerabilities. It collects information, changes content, or interferes with account interactions. Its advertised function disguises behavior that serves the operator’s objectives. – Browser Malware

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious OAuth Application — A malicious OAuth application obtains or abuses authorization to access another service’s resources. Attackers persuade users or administrators to grant inappropriate permissions. The application then uses legitimate authorization mechanisms for harmful purposes. – Authorization Abuse

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Package — A malicious package contains software components that perform unauthorized or harmful actions. Attackers distribute it through repositories or other software channels. Developers who incorporate the package introduce its behavior into their own environments. – Software Supply Chain Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Shortcut — A malicious shortcut directs routine opening behavior toward attacker-selected execution. Its name or icon imitates an ordinary file or application. The deception hides the action that the shortcut actually initiates. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Software Development Kit — A malicious software development kit embeds harmful behavior in components that developers integrate into applications. Its functions exceed or contradict the stated development purpose. The resulting application distributes the behavior to its users. – Software Supply Chain Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Malicious Update — A malicious update delivers unauthorized software changes through an update process or convincing imitation. Attackers exploit trust in maintenance and improvement. Recipients install harmful components while expecting an approved version. – Software Supply Chain Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Malvertising — Malvertising uses online advertising to distribute malicious content or direct visitors toward harmful destinations. Attackers exploit advertising systems or submit deceptive campaigns. The presence of an advertisement on a legitimate website does not establish that its destination is trustworthy. – Malware Delivery

Added October 7, 2026

Malware — Malware is software that performs harmful or unauthorized actions. Categories include ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other malicious programs. Its effects range from information theft and unwanted monitoring to service disruption and destruction of data. – Malicious Software

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Analysis — Malware analysis examines malicious software to understand its behavior, capabilities, and identifying characteristics. Analysts study code and observe execution in controlled environments. The findings support detection, incident investigation, and decisions about containment or removal. – Threat Analysis

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Builder — A malware builder creates or customizes malicious programs through configurable options. Customers select capabilities without developing every component themselves. The tool helps criminal providers distribute related variants across multiple operators. – Malware Development Tools

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Campaign — A malware campaign coordinates malicious software activity around defined targets or objectives. Operators combine distribution, infrastructure, and payloads over a period of time. Analysts examine shared characteristics to connect individual incidents with the broader operation. – Criminal Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Distributor — A malware distributor delivers malicious software to intended victims or other operators. Distribution methods include compromised content and deceptive promotions. The distributor often performs a separate role from the malware’s developer or final customer. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Operator — A malware operator controls malicious software and its supporting activity. Responsibilities include directing compromised systems and managing outcomes. The operator sometimes uses software that another criminal developed or supplied. – Cybercriminal Roles

Added October 7, 2026

Malware Packer — A malware packer transforms an executable into a packaged form that restores its contents during execution. Criminals use packing to conceal recognizable code. Legitimate software also uses packing, so investigators assess behavior and context. – Malware Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Malware-as-a-Service — Malware-as-a-service provides malicious software and related support to customers. Providers maintain tools, infrastructure, or updates under a commercial arrangement. Customers use the service to conduct attacks with less independent development work. – Criminal Services

Added October 7, 2026

Man-in-the-Middle Attack — A man-in-the-middle attack intercepts communication between parties that believe they communicate directly. The attacker observes or alters the exchange through an intermediary position. The term describes the same general threat that many sources call an adversary-in-the-middle attack. – Attack Method

Added October 7, 2026

Manageable Action — A manageable action is a practical step that fits the person’s present ability and available support. It addresses part of a real need without requiring completion of every related task. Its purpose is to support engagement while acknowledging genuine limits. — Recovery Practices

Added October 12, 2026

Manageable actions — Manageable actions are clearly limited activities suited to the person’s current energy, attention, and resources. Examples include preparing one document, attending an appointment, or participating in a planned recovery session. Their value rests in restoring participation without requiring immediate confidence or a complete emotional transformation. — Recovery Practices

Added October 14, 2026

Manageable actions — Manageable actions are practical steps suited to the survivor’s current abilities and circumstances. They turn a broad concern into a task with an identifiable purpose and realistic requirements. Supporters divide an action into smaller parts when its demands exceed the person’s present capacity. — Support Methods

Added October 16, 2026

Managed Detection and Response — Managed detection and response provides externally operated threat monitoring, investigation, and response support. The provider combines technology with security analysts and defined service procedures. Organizations evaluate responsibilities and coverage to understand which response actions the provider actually performs. – Security Service

Added October 7, 2026

Manipulated video — A manipulated video is an altered visual presentation used as part of the identity shown to the survivor. Its appearance does not establish that the visible person committed the crime. The farewell concerns the relationship presented through the image rather than an assumption about who appears on screen. — Identity Distinctions

Added October 18, 2026

Manufactured Evidence — Manufactured evidence is material created, altered, or staged to support a false claim. Examples include fabricated bank statements, forged credentials, stolen photographs presented as personal images, and coordinated endorsements. Its apparent detail or professional appearance does not establish authenticity. — Criminal Deception

Added October 3, 2026

Mark — Mark is criminal slang for the person a confidence operator targets. Offenders use the term when discussing recruitment, manipulation, or the intended financial loss. The label reflects the offender’s perspective and does not establish anything about the victim’s intelligence or character. – Target-Related Criminal Slang

Added October 7, 2026

Marketplace Buyer Scam — A marketplace buyer scam targets sellers with false payment claims or deceptive transaction instructions. The criminal sends fabricated confirmations or requests refunds. The seller loses merchandise or sends money without receiving valid payment. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marketplace Seller Scam — A marketplace seller scam uses a deceptive listing to obtain payment from a buyer. The seller misrepresents possession, condition, or delivery. Pressure to pay outside the platform removes protections and assists the theft. – Marketplace Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marriage Scam — A marriage scam uses deceptive marriage intentions or arrangements to obtain money, property, status, or another advantage. The offender misrepresents commitment, identity, or the circumstances surrounding the proposed marriage. The promise or appearance of marriage supplies leverage for the exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Marriage-Promise Scam — A marriage-promise scam uses a deceptive commitment to marriage to obtain money or other benefits. The criminal requests wedding expenses, documentation payments, or relocation support. The promised marriage serves as leverage for continued exploitation. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Masquerading — Masquerading makes a resource or activity appear to be something else. Attackers imitate legitimate names, locations, or characteristics to reduce scrutiny. The deception targets trust in appearance rather than proving genuine legitimacy. – Detection Evasion

Added October 7, 2026

Mass violence trauma — Mass violence trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with violence affecting numerous people. Mass shootings, massacres, and coordinated attacks are examples. Effects extend to directly exposed survivors, witnesses, and affected families or communities. — Violence context.

Added October 5, 2026

Material Facts — Material facts are significant details that could influence a donor’s decision to contribute. They include the organizer’s identity, relationship to the beneficiary, circumstances of the need, and intended use of money. False statements about these details can substantially change the meaning of a fundraising appeal. — Campaign Information

Added September 30, 2026

Meaningful activity — Meaningful activity is an ordinary task or interest that gives the survivor connection, purpose, or enjoyment. Walking, gardening, reading, caring for an animal, and making something provide examples. Participation creates room for experiences beyond the crime without requiring a dramatic change in mood beforehand. — Recovery Practices

Added October 15, 2026

Measurement-Based Quantum Computing — Measurement-based quantum computing performs a computation through measurements on a prepared entangled resource state. Measurement choices and classical processing determine the intended operation. This model provides an alternative to organizing computation primarily as a sequence of quantum gates. – Computing Models

Added October 7, 2026

Medicaid Impersonation Scam — A Medicaid impersonation scam uses false contact about enrollment, benefits, or renewal. The criminal requests personal information or a supposed processing fee. The deceptive approach exploits concern about retaining healthcare coverage. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Crowdfunding — Medical crowdfunding raises money for healthcare-related needs, including treatment, surgery, and associated expenses. Appeals often depend on personal stories that donors cannot readily confirm. Research findings about medical campaigns should be interpreted within that setting rather than automatically applied to every kind of crowdfunding. — Fundraising Purpose

Added September 30, 2026

Medical Crowdfunding Scam — A medical crowdfunding scam raises money using fabricated or materially misleading illness claims. The organizer invents diagnoses, treatment needs, or beneficiaries. Donations support purposes different from those presented to contributors. – Crowdfunding Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Discount Plan Scam — A medical discount plan scam presents discount arrangements as insurance or exaggerates their benefits. The seller misrepresents provider participation and savings. Customers pay for protection or access the plan does not actually provide. – Health Coverage Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Equipment Scam — A medical equipment scam uses deceptive offers involving braces, testing devices, or other supplies. The operator collects insurance details or requests payments under false pretenses. The information supports fraudulent billing or sales of unnecessary products. – Healthcare Billing Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medical Review — Medical review is a clinician’s evaluation of health needs, symptoms, and existing treatment. It becomes important when care has stopped or a treatment plan no longer addresses the person’s needs. Concerns about medication belong with the prescribing professional rather than unqualified supporters. — Support and Treatment

Added October 13, 2026

Medical trauma — Medical trauma refers to psychological trauma associated with illness, medical emergencies, or healthcare experiences. Fear, perceived helplessness, painful procedures, or loss of control shape the psychological response. Here the term concerns emotional consequences rather than bodily injury. — Healthcare context.

Added October 5, 2026

Medical-Emergency Romance Scam — A medical-emergency romance scam invents illness, injury, or hospitalization within a deceptive relationship. The criminal supplies supposed medical bills or messages from fabricated doctors. Urgency and concern pressure the victim into sending money. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medicare Impersonation Scam — A Medicare impersonation scam involves a false representative requesting identifying information or payment. The criminal claims a replacement card, benefit update, or coverage problem requires immediate action. Collected information supports identity theft or fraudulent billing. – Government Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Medication Abandonment — Medication abandonment is the discontinuation or repeated omission of prescribed treatment without an appropriate plan with the clinician. Reasons include access barriers, symptoms, concerns about treatment, or deliberate rejection. Restoring care begins with professional review rather than unsupervised changes. — Self-Neglect

Added October 13, 2026

Member-Run Mutual-Aid Group — A member-run mutual-aid group organizes support through arrangements in which members themselves hold leadership and governance responsibilities. Participants share experiences and help one another according to the group’s agreed structure. Its governance differs from a provider-managed community, where an organization assigns responsibility for operating the service. — Community Structure

Added October 6, 2026

Membership Standards — Membership standards describe the requirements a community establishes for joining, participating, and continuing membership. These standards clarify expectations about conduct, engagement, and respect for the community’s purpose. Leaders communicate them clearly and apply them consistently so that members understand their responsibilities and the consequences of disregarding them. — Community Governance

Added October 6, 2026

Memory Corruption — Memory corruption occurs when software improperly changes or accesses memory contents. Causes include programming errors involving boundaries, object lifetimes, or memory references. Attackers exploit some forms to crash applications, disclose information, or alter execution. – Software Vulnerability

Added October 7, 2026

Memory Dumping — Memory dumping records the contents of memory for later examination. Investigators use it for analysis, while attackers seek sensitive information within the captured data. The security significance depends on authorization and the material collected. – Information Collection

Added October 7, 2026

Memory features — Memory features preserve selected information for use in later interactions. They help a chatbot refer to personal details and maintain an impression of familiarity. The provider controls these features, while an attached user experiences their operation as part of the companion’s continuity. — AI Technology

Added October 22, 2026

Memory loops — Memory loops are repeated returns to the same messages, scenes, or moments associated with the scam. The survivor experiences the past as a recurring focus that occupies present time and attention. Recognizing the repetition supports discussion of what interrupts daily functioning and where assistance is needed. — Cognitive Patterns

Added October 15, 2026

Memory recurrence — Memory recurrence means an image or recollection returns after the farewell. Its return does not cancel the survivor’s boundary or require another ceremony. The survivor responds to the reminder and returns attention to the present rather than treating remembering as proof of failure. — Memory and Recovery

Added October 18, 2026

Memory Scraping — Memory scraping searches active memory for selected information. Criminal software targets sensitive values that applications temporarily handle in readable form. Payment data and authentication material represent valuable collection targets. – Information Theft

Added October 7, 2026

Meta-Analysis — Meta-analysis is a research method that statistically combines results from multiple studies addressing a related question. It helps identify broader patterns and estimate effects beyond a single investigation. Its conclusions depend on the quality, comparability, and selection of the studies included. — Research Method

Added October 3, 2026

Metered communication — Metered communication charges customers according to the amount or type of interaction they use. Examples include charges per minute of chat, per email, or per shared image. This arrangement financially rewards continued communication inside the platform whether or not the relationship progresses beyond it. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Mexican Timeshare Fraud — Mexican timeshare fraud involves deceptive transactions concerning timeshares in Mexico. The described scheme begins with a fictitious purchase offer and continues through demands for fees or supposed taxes. Victims discover that the promised buyer and sale proceeds do not exist. — Fraud Types

Added October 11, 2026

MFA Fatigue Attack — An MFA fatigue attack repeatedly triggers authentication approval requests. The attacker pressures the account owner to approve a request through confusion or exhaustion. An approval then advances the attacker’s unauthorized access attempt. – Authentication Deception

Added October 7, 2026

Microsegmentation — Microsegmentation establishes fine-grained access boundaries among workloads or smaller groups of resources. Policies restrict communication according to defined operational needs. This approach reduces unnecessary connectivity and limits an attacker’s movement after an initial compromise. – Network Security

Added October 7, 2026

Microsoft Impersonation Scam — A Microsoft impersonation scam claims that a computer, account, or software license requires urgent attention. The criminal poses as technical or security staff. Requests for remote access and payment exploit the false claim of a problem. – Business Impersonation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mid-Circuit Measurement — Mid-circuit measurement reads selected quantum information before a circuit finishes. Subsequent operations use the result or proceed with the remaining quantum systems. This capability supports adaptive circuits, qubit reuse, and error-syndrome extraction. – Quantum Circuit Operations

Added October 7, 2026

Migration-related trauma — Migration-related trauma describes trauma associated with circumstances surrounding migration. Relevant experiences include violence, dangerous journeys, detention, exploitation, or forced separation. Migration itself is not inherently traumatic. — Displacement context.

Added October 5, 2026

Military Romance Scam — A military romance scam involves someone falsely claiming military service while pursuing a romantic relationship. The criminal invents expenses involving leave, deployment, equipment, or transportation. Stolen photographs and military language support the false identity. – Relationship Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mimikatz — Mimikatz is a security tool that examines and manipulates authentication-related information in supported Windows environments. Authorized professionals use it to assess exposure. Attackers misuse its capabilities for credential theft and related intrusion activity. – Dual-Use Security Tools

Added October 7, 2026

Miracle Cure Scam — A miracle cure scam sells a treatment using fabricated or unsupported claims of exceptional effectiveness. The promoter exploits illness, fear, and hope. Customers pay for products that do not deliver the represented medical benefit. – Health Product Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Mirroring — Mirroring involves presenting the scammer’s fictional personality as closely aligned with the victim’s values, beliefs, interests, and experiences. Criminals build these similarities from information the victim shares or posts publicly. The apparent compatibility creates a sense of personal understanding that supports trust and attachment. — Psychological Manipulation

Added October 15, 2026

Misapplication of Funds — Misapplication of funds occurs when contributions are used for purposes inconsistent with those represented to donors. The person described in the fundraiser may exist and have a genuine need. That genuine need does not establish that the organizer handled the money appropriately or delivered the promised assistance. — Financial Misconduct

Added September 30, 2026

Mixed State — A mixed state describes a quantum system through a statistical combination of pure states. It arises from incomplete knowledge or from examining part of an entangled system. A density matrix captures its observable properties and measurement probabilities. – Quantum States

Added October 7, 2026

Mobile Device Management — Mobile device management centrally administers supported phones, tablets, and other enrolled devices. Organizations use it to apply settings, manage applications, and respond to lost equipment. Clear policies address security requirements alongside user privacy and ownership arrangements. – Device Management

Added October 7, 2026

Mobile Overlay Attack — A mobile overlay attack places deceptive interface content over a legitimate application. The victim interacts with the imitation while expecting the real service. Attackers collect entered information or induce approvals through the misleading display. – Mobile Application Attacks

Added October 7, 2026

Mobile Security — Mobile security protects portable devices, applications, and the information they handle. Risks include malicious applications, insecure connections, theft, and account compromise. Protection combines current software, secure access, controlled permissions, and careful handling of sensitive data. – Device Security

Added October 7, 2026

Modeling Audition Scam — A modeling audition scam promises opportunities with agencies or brands under false pretenses. The operator demands registration, portfolio, or placement fees. The promised professional work serves as leverage for payments or exploitation. – Employment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Module Stomping — Module stomping overwrites or repurposes portions of a loaded software module for attacker-selected execution. The surrounding module provides a legitimate-looking context. The technique complicates inspection that relies primarily on expected module identities. – Execution Concealment

Added October 7, 2026

Monetized intimacy — Monetized intimacy turns experiences of closeness, affection, or sexual attention into paid services. A platform charges for access to interactions that the customer experiences as personally meaningful. The arrangement becomes exploitative when the provider uses attachment or distress to pressure additional spending. — Financial Practices

Added October 22, 2026

Money Laundering — Money laundering involves transactions or arrangements intended to conceal the criminal origin of funds. It allows proceeds from activities such as fraud or drug trafficking to appear connected to ordinary financial activity. The visible payment request represents only one part of the wider movement of criminal money. — Criminal Finance

Added October 11, 2026

Money laundering — Money laundering involves moving criminal funds through accounts or transactions to conceal their origins. Romance scammers use other people’s accounts to distance themselves from stolen money. A deceived victim becomes involved when the criminal directs the victim to receive funds and forward them elsewhere. — Financial Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Money Mule — A money mule is a person who receives, transfers, converts, withdraws, transports, or forwards money or property on behalf of another person when the activity moves, conceals, or launders proceeds from crime. Criminals recruit money mules through romance scams, fraudulent jobs, investment schemes, business opportunities, emergency stories, online friendships, and requests to help someone who supposedly cannot access a financial account. Some participants knowingly assist criminal operations, while others believe they are helping a romantic partner, performing legitimate employment, processing customer payments, forwarding packages, or protecting money from theft, yet the participant’s bank account, cryptocurrency wallet, address, or identity becomes part of the criminal transaction chain. Money-mule activity exposes the person to financial losses, frozen accounts, repayment demands, identity theft, banking restrictions, and possible criminal investigation, which makes any request to receive and forward unexplained money or property a serious warning requiring immediate independent verification. — Financial Crime Facilitation

Added September 29, 2026

Money mule — A money mule is a person who receives or transfers funds on behalf of criminals. Romance scammers sometimes deceive victims into performing this role without understanding the source or purpose of the money. This involvement adds financial and legal consequences to the harm caused by the original deception. — Financial Crime

Added October 15, 2026

Money Mule Scam — A money mule scam recruits someone to receive and move criminal proceeds. The offender disguises transfers as employment, romance, or personal assistance. The participant’s accounts conceal the source and destination of stolen funds. – Criminal Facilitation Scam FBI

Added October 7, 2026

Money Order Scam — A money order scam uses a counterfeit or invalid money order as payment. The criminal asks for goods, refunds, or forwarded funds. The recipient bears losses when the supposed payment does not settle legitimately. – Payment Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Money Transfer Agent Scam — A money transfer agent scam advertises work processing payments through personal accounts. The criminal describes transfers as ordinary business transactions. The worker instead moves stolen funds and exposes personal finances to serious consequences. – Employment and Criminal Facilitation Scam

Added October 7, 2026

Moral Dissonance — Moral dissonance describes discomfort when a person’s actions, judgments, or experiences conflict with deeply held beliefs about right and wrong. A survivor struggles with having followed deceptive instructions that unknowingly helped a criminal. Understanding the circumstances allows the survivor to examine responsibility without treating deception or lack of knowledge as deliberate wrongdoing. — Moral Conflict

Added October 7, 2026