The process of passively gathering information prior to launching a cyberattack is called?

The process of passively gathering information prior to launching a cyberattack is referred to as reconnaissance. This stage is crucial for attackers as it allows them to collect relevant data about the target organization, including network architecture, employee roles, and potential vulnerabilities. By understanding the target in depth, attackers can plan their approach more effectively, increasing their chances of success.

Reconnaissance can involve various techniques such as network scanning, social engineering, and browsing publicly available information on the internet. The goal is to form a profile of the target to identify weaknesses that can be exploited during the attack.

The other options represent different concepts that do not align with the specific definition of passively gathering information. Tailgating involves gaining unauthorized access to a secure area by following someone with legitimate access, while pharming is related to redirecting users to fraudulent sites without their knowledge. Prepending typically pertains to data manipulation and does not relate to the initial information-gathering phase in a cyberattack context.