ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cyber-HUMINT

Okay, kiddo, have you heard of spies before and how they gather information to keep our country safe? Cyber-HUMINT is a lot like that, but it's done through computers and the internet.

So, these days, many people use the internet to share information about their thoughts, feelings, and activities. Cyber-HUMINT is when spies use special tools and techniques to find and collect that information. They use it to learn about what people are doing, what they're planning, and what they think about important issues.

Think of it like playing spy on your brother or sister. You might hide behind a chair or a door to hear what they're saying to their friends. With cyber-HUMINT, spies use special software and search tools to find out what people are saying, even if it's something they don't want others to know.

Sometimes, these spies try to trick people into sharing secrets or personal information by pretending to be someone else online. They might create a fake profile or send a message to someone to get more information about them or what they're doing.

So, while cyber-HUMINT might seem like a cool way to gather information, it's important to remember that it's only used for important reasons, like keeping our country safe. And, just like how we shouldn't spy on our siblings all the time, cyber-HUMINT is used carefully and tactfully.