Document Author:
Rowe, Neil C.
We discuss the ethical issues of using cyberweapons, software that attacks data and other software during warfare. Many people assume these are relatively benign weapons, but we argue they can create serious harms like any weapon. We define cyberweapons and describe them in general terms, and survey their status as per the laws of war. We then discuss the unreliability of cyberweapons, the problem of collateral damage, and the associated problems of damage assessment, maintenance of secrecy, and mounting cyber-counterattacks. We examine some possibilities for creating more ethical cyberweapons and discuss the alternative of cyber-blockades. We conclude that cyberattacks should generally be outlawed by international agreement.