cyberspace

Cyberspace is a global, interconnected digital environment formed by computer networks and the software, services, and data that run on them. The term was popularized by author William Gibson in his 1984 novel Neuromancer, where it described a shared virtual space of data streams and computer interfaces. Since then, cyberspace has entered common usage to denote not only the Internet itself but also the broader virtual environments created by networked computing and communications.

Cyberspace comprises hardware such as servers, routers, cables, satellites, devices, and the software and protocols that connect them—most prominently the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). It includes the World Wide Web, email, messaging, cloud services, and increasingly immersive environments like virtual and augmented reality. Users interact through computers, smartphones, and other devices, creating a dynamic, multi-user space where information can be accessed, created, and shared at global scale. The boundary between cyberspace and the physical world is blurred by ubiquitous computing and IoT.

Access, governance, privacy, and security shape cyberspace. Issues include cybercrime, surveillance, data protection, and digital equity. Policymakers, international organizations, and standards bodies address interoperability, critical infrastructure protection, and norms for state and non-state actors. The concept remains a neutral descriptor of a largely intangible, information-based arena rather than a fixed geographic location.