Understanding Cyber vandalism. How is it different from Cyber warfare.

Cyber vandalism is an act of editing the data in electronic form on a computer system in a malicious manner which is intentionally disruptive. It can involve hacking and defacement of a popular website by editing, adding, removing or modifying the nonsensical, humorous or other content that may be seen as derogatory, humiliating or offensive.

Examples-

1. The defacing of the Indian government websites by hackers.
2.  Defacing Social media content, spreading false and fraudulent information or pictures about somebody.
3. The alleged attack on the Sony networks in US against the launch of a comedy movie "The Interview" by North Korea.

Cyber Warfare is politically motivated act of espionage and sabotage on the computer systems and networks.

Examples-

    Sabotage-

1.  Malware Stuxnet attack on the Iran nuclear facility by US-Israel.
2.  Blowing of a gas pipeline allegedly by Russia by hacking into the computer network and controlling the pressure in the pipelines.

    Espionage-

US surveillance system of "Prism" covering majority of the internet-collating and analysing sensitive and classified data of other countries without their knowledge.

Cyber vandalism would be an infringement on personal rights, freedom and liberties of an individual or organization and is considered as a minor breach or cyber threat when compared to Cyber warfare which compromises the national security of any country and can be construed as an act of war.