Cyber warfare involves nation-states attacking each other's computer systems and networks through viruses or denial-of-service attacks. As more countries become wired, nations like Russia, China, US, Israel, North Korea, Iran, India and Pakistan are both preparing defenses against cyber attacks and launching their own operations. Computer crime refers to any illegal act involving a computer or network, whether the computer was used to enable the crime or was the target. Hacktivism describes hacking for political or social reasons, while cyber espionage involves obtaining secrets without permission from individuals, governments or enemies for personal or national gain.