Final answer:
Hortense's company experienced a form of electronic aggression known as cyberbullying or phishing, caused by unauthorized access and abuse of the company's email system. This falls under cyber threats, and highlights the importance of being vigilant regarding online privacy and security.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hortense experienced an example of what is known as electronic aggression, more specifically, this scenario would fall under the category of cyberbullying or potential phishing if the intent was to deceive the recipients of the emails for nefarious purposes. Cyberbullying, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC), includes any form of harassment or bullying that occurs through digital means such as email, chat rooms, and social media, among others. This kind of abuse can cause serious harm to a company's reputation and has the potential to compromise the trust of customers and other stakeholders. Furthermore, the act of unauthorized access to a company's email system followed by sending out false messages falls under hacking activities, which include various methods to breach security protocols, deceive email recipients, and lure people into divulging sensitive information.
It is essential for both corporations and individuals to be vigilant about online privacy and security to combat cyber threats. High-profile incidents such as the 2014 iCloud breach highlight the scope of damage that can result from security compromises. Beyond personal repercussions, when such invasive actions are taken against a corporation, as in Hortense's case, they can lead to substantial financial losses, diminished customer trust, and legal ramifications.