A fractal is a pattern that shows self-similarity across different scales: zoom in, and the structure looks broadly like the whole. In math and computing, fractals often come from repeatedly applying a simple rule, which can produce highly detailed output from a small set of inputs.
In cyber security, fractal-like behavior matters because repeated feedback and recursion can amplify tiny changes in code, traffic, or system state. Malware may use nested or self-repeating structures to complicate analysis, while defenders may study fractal characteristics in network flows, file layouts, or log bursts to spot anomalies and model complex behavior. The term also matters in physical computing, where an optical or analog loop can generate fractal output through feedback. That reminds analysts that repeated state is powerful but fragile: small misalignment, noise, or malicious input can scale into instability or deception.