Counterterror is a term used to describe the measures taken to prevent or thwart terrorist attacks. It can also refer to the intelligence gathering, surveillance, and interception of terrorist activities. There are several synonyms that are commonly used to describe counterterror; anti-terror, anti-terrorism, counterterrorism, and counter-terrorism. These terms all have the same meaning and are used interchangeably in the context of national security and law enforcement. Other related terms that are often used in conjunction with counterterror include counterintelligence, terrorism detection, and prevention. Regardless of the terminology used, the goal of counterterror is always the same: to protect citizens and prevent terrorism from occurring in the first place.