Definition
A false flag is a type of cyberattack in which criminals blame their crimes on someone else. The attackers try convincing the authorities that another person instigated the cyberattack, not them. By doing so, the criminals hide their tracks and protect themselves from facing the law.
False Flag Tactic Example
In January 2022, over 70 Ukrainian government websites were targeted in an attack. Initially framed as the work of a fictitious pro-Ukrainian group, investigators later traced it back to Russian cybercriminals.