There is a growing interest in the use of cyber weapons among states. But despite the increased interest in these capabilities, little is known about the nature of cyber weapons as a tool of the state. In this seminar, Max Smeets will show that they can alter the manner in which countries use their military power in various ways – including to achieve compellence. Attention will also be drawn to problems of conflict escalation and the potential symbolic value of cyber weapons as a ‘prestige weapon’ to enhance ‘swaggering’.