What is Adversary?
Any entity that poses a threat to your privacy or security, from advertisers and data brokers to hackers and government agencies.
Understanding your adversary is the first step in threat modeling.
Common Adversaries
- Advertisers: Want to profile your behavior for targeted ads
- Data brokers: Collect and sell your personal information
- Hackers: Seek financial gain through fraud or ransomware
- Stalkers/abusers: Personal threats targeting specific individuals
- Employers: May monitor work devices and communications
- Governments: Mass surveillance or targeted investigation
Capability Levels
Each adversary has different resources and capabilities. Your privacy measures should match the adversary you're protecting against.
Related Terms
Operational Security
The practice of protecting sensitive information by thinking like an adversary to identify vulnerabilities in your own behavior and communications. OPSEC goes beyond technical tools to address human factors that could expose you.
Threat Modeling
The systematic process of identifying potential threats, vulnerabilities, and attack vectors to determine appropriate security and privacy measures.
Have more questions?
Use our guided flow to get the right next privacy step for Adversary.
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