exfiltrate

verb

ex·​fil·​trate eks-ˈfil-ˌtrāt How to pronounce exfiltrate (audio)
ˈeks-(ˌ)fil-
exfiltrated; exfiltrating

transitive verb

1
: to remove (someone) furtively from a hostile area
Kublinski avoided detection. He was exfiltrated from Poland, with his family, only after being compromised by a leak from the U.S. government.Radek Sikorski
2
: to steal (sensitive data) from a computer (as with a flash drive)

intransitive verb

: to escape from a hostile area
exfiltration noun

Examples of exfiltrate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Cybercriminals using ransomware to extort and exfiltrate are increasingly and brazenly targeting financial institutions. Sean McElroy, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 Rehberger's proof-of-concept exploit demonstrated that the vulnerability could be used to exfiltrate all user input in perpetuity. Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 9 Nov. 2024 Under this model, a core group creates the infrastructure and malware for infecting systems throughout a network once an initial intrusion is made and then simultaneously encrypting critical data and exfiltrating it. Dan Goodin, Ars Technica, 13 May 2024 The attackers deployed ransomware to disrupt operations and exfiltrated vast amounts of sensitive data. Lars Daniel, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for exfiltrate 

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from exfiltration, from ex- entry 1 + (in)filtration

First Known Use

1947, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of exfiltrate was in 1947

Dictionary Entries Near exfiltrate

Cite this Entry

“Exfiltrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/exfiltrate. Accessed 12 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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