Thunderbolt is a high-speed hardware interface for connecting computers to peripherals, including storage devices and displays. It can carry data and video and, depending on the device and cable, power. Many Thunderbolt connections use the USB-C connector, but a USB-C-shaped port does not automatically support Thunderbolt.
In cyber security, Thunderbolt matters because connected devices can have broad access to system resources; some configurations and older systems have been exposed to risks such as direct memory access (DMA). Real defenses include keeping the operating system, device firmware, and drivers updated; enabling available Thunderbolt security or device-authorization controls; and connecting only trusted peripherals. The article context uses Thunderbolt as a modern-interface example and does not describe a specific attack or vulnerability.