Final answer:
Cyber criminals engaged in the illegal collection and resale of data are known as data harvesters. They leverage security vulnerabilities to access information illegally, which is subsequently sold. This practice is just one part of the broader landscape of cyber threats, which include state-sponsored cyber warfare and disruptive cyber attacks.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cyber criminals who infiltrate systems and collect data for illegal resale are known as data harvesters. These individuals or groups exploit security weaknesses to gain unauthorized access to systems, aiming to extract sensitive information that they can sell on the dark web or to other parties interested in such data. Data harvesting is one of the many methods that hackers use to infiltrate websites and systems. Often, they may deploy tactics to trick individuals into clicking malicious links or surrendering personal information, which then can be monetized.
Additionally, the realm of cyber warfare has also seen the rise of governments and various militant groups utilizing cyber attacks to disrupt and spy on adversaries. These activities may include stealing secret intelligence, causing disruption to satellite communications, or even shutting down internet services—sometimes with the goal of spreading disinformation to cause chaos or disruption within targeted communities or nations.