Glossary

WiFi Protected Access 2: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard. Provides stronger security than WPA or WEP.

WiFi Protected Access: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard. Provides stronger security than WEP.

A type of virus which can spread itself across networks needing no human intervention to do so.

A local area network which uses radio signals instead of a wire to transmit data.

A publicly accessible wireless internet connection.

A local area network which uses radio signals instead of a wire to transmit data.

Wired Equivalent Privacy: a type of data encryption to prevent eavesdropping and access to a wireless network by malicious users. Defined by the 802.11 standard.

An email system that uses a web browser to read and send emails, rather than a standalone email program such as Microsoft Outlook or Apple Mail.

Any product flaw, administrative process or act, or physical exposure that makes a computer susceptible to attack by a malicious user.

Voice over IP: a technology for transmitting phone-like voice conversations over the internet.

The practice of attempting to obtain personal or financial information via a telephone call in order to commit fraud or identity theft.

A virus’s ‘fingerprint’ which contains the characteristics of a virus or type of virus.  Internet security software uses a database of signatures to detect viruses.

A file written with the sole intention of doing harm, or for criminal activity.

Virtual Private Network: a method of creating a secure connection between two points over the internet. Normally used only for business-to-business communications.

A code name that, with a password, unlocks a user account.

Gives individuals access to files and programs on a computer. Access is often controlled by login.

An internet-based public bulletin board system that allows users to post messages to different newsgroups.

Universal Serial Bus: a means of physically connecting computers and peripherals such as external storage, keyboards and MP3 players.

A method of obtaining additional evidence of identity to simply using passwords – such as a bank card.

Software posing as an authentic application, which actually conceals an item of malware. Term comes from Trojan Horse in Greek mythology.

The transmission of information over a network or the internet.

A physical object, such as a smart card, used to authenticate users.

1000 gigabytes.

Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol. The protocols, or conventions, that computers use to communicate over the internet.

An ultra-portable, touchscreen computer which shares much of the functionality and also the operating system of smartphones, but generally with more computing power.

To link two devices – typically a computer and smartphone or tablet – to ensure they hold the same data such as contacts, emails and music files. Short for synchronise.

Secure Socket Layer, an encryption system that secures internet communications.

The wireless network name which enables users and WiFi-enabled devices to identify one wireless network from another. Acronym for service set identifier.

Malware that secretly monitors a user’s activity or scans for private information.

When an unauthorised person makes a message (typically an email) appear to come from a genuine sender by using either the genuine or a very similar address.

Unsolicited commercial e-mail. Also known as junk e-mail.

Use of deceit offline to gain access to secure systems or personal information, for example impersonating a technical support agent.

A mobile phone built on a mobile computing platform, with more advanced computing ability and connectivity than a standard mobile phone.

A form of user authentication that relies on a credit card-sized card with an embedded chip.

The act of counterfeiting a bank card by using a device to capture the card and account information embedded on the card’s magnetic strip.

A computer that serves files or services to other computers over a network or the internet.

A piece of software or sequence of commands that takes advantage of a software bug, glitch or vulnerability to cause problems, often with criminal intent.

Hackers who carry out their illicit activity for notoriety rather than criminal intent.

A device that routes network or internet traffic. Typically found in home/small office environments within a WiFi device (wireless hub).

A set of tools used by hackers to get control of a computer.

Storage devices that can be removed from a computer, such as CDs/DVDs, USB sticks and portable hard drives.

A DVD that is capable of storing data when used in a DVD recorder.

A code designed to be scanned by smartphone camera, which contains a link to a website belonging to the code’s originator. Like a barcode, not readable by the human eye.

A server that manages internet traffic to and from a local area network and can provide other functions, such as internet access control.

A list of personal details revealed by users of social networking, gaming, dating and other websites. Profiles may normally be configured to be public or private.

Access rights to computers or data – normally varying between users according to what they are and are not entitled to see.

A telephone number, typically prefixed by 09, which is very expensive when dialled. Often connected with scams.

A physical or virtual connection in a computer that enables applications to communicate with pre-determined external devices.

A small window which appears over a web page, usually to display an advertisement.

Illegal duplication or use of material covered by intellectual property laws, such as copyright.

A simple program that communicates with another computer over a network to see if it is responsive.

Personal Identification Number.

An attempt at identity theft in which criminals lead users to a counterfeit website in the hope that they will disclose private information such as user names or passwords.

An exploit in which criminals disrupt the normal functioning of DNS software which translates internet domain names into addresses. The user enters a correct address but is redirected to a fake website.

Legally hacking into a computer system or website with the approval of the owner, to reveal vulnerabilities and finding opportunities for improving its security.

A network typically used to share music and video files and applications between individuals over the internet.

Portable Document Format: a method of saving a document so that it can be opened and viewed on devices using different operating systems.

A software update, often related to improving security.

When two Bluetooth-enabled devices are linked in order to communicate with each other.

A symbol in a web browser that indicates that an encrypted (SSL) connection is being used to communicate with a site that has a valid certificate. Normally accompanied by ‘https’ at the beginning of the address line.

When a computer has been taken over by hackers.

The software that enables your computer or mobile device to operate.

A term generally used to describe computer software that has been developed in a collaborative way, often by volunteers on a non-commercial basis.

A backup method in which data is transmitted over the internet for storage, often referred to as ‘cloud’ backup.

The ability to prove that a specific individual has carried out an activity on a computer or online, so that it cannot later be denied.

A number of computers that are connected to one another, together with the connecting infrastructure.

A device that plays MP3 music files.

The technology used to store sound files, typically for music or podcasts.

Someone who is recruited by a fraudster to transfer money illegally gained in one country to another country, usually where the fraudster lives. The term comes from an analogy with drug mules.

A removable memory device, normally connected to a computer via USB.

1000 kilobytes.

Software used or created by hackers to disrupt computer operation, gather sensitive information, or gain access to private computer systems. Short for ‘malicious software’.

virus which uses the macro capabilities of common applications such as spreadsheets and word processors to implement virus-like behaviour.

A type of programme used to eliminate the need to repeat the steps of common tasks over and over – such as adding or removing rows and columns or protecting or unprotecting worksheets.

A file that lists actions that have occurred.

Local Area Network: a local computer for communication between computers. Can be wired or wireless.

An open-source, freely-available operating system.

The process of concealing the source of money obtained illegally, by carrying out financial transactions or operating fake businesses in order to camouflage the illegal source.

1000 bytes.

A virus or physical device that logs keystrokes in order to capture private information, passwords or credit card information.

A programming language derived from Java that is used to make web pages more interactive.

One of today’s most popular and widely used programming languages. Originally developed by Sun Microsystems (now Oracle).

IP Security: IPSec provides security for transmission of sensitive information over unprotected networks such as the Internet. IPSec acts at the network layer, protecting and authenticating IP packets between participating IPSec devices.

Internet Protocol address: a unique address that is used to identify a computer or mobile device on the internet.

Internet Service Provider: a company that provides access to the internet.

Apple’s operating system used on its iPhone and iPad devices.

Chat conversations between two or more people via typing on computers or portable devices. Systems include BlackBerry Messenger, Facebook Chat, MSN Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo!

The discipline of protecting computers and data from misuse.

The UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) is the independent public body set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, responsible for upholding the Data Protection Act 1998 and the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

A backup where only files that have been changed or added since the last backup are stored, making it faster than a full backup.

International Mobile Equipment Identification: a unique serial number built into mobile phones and tablets. To determine a device’s IMEI number, dial *#06# on the device.

Internet Engineering Task Force is the body that defines the standards underlying the internet.

The crime of impersonating someone – by using their private information – for financial gain.

Apple’s secure cloud storage and backup product.

Hypertext Mark up Language: the computer code that is used to form the basis of building web pages.

A publicly accessible wireless internet connection.

A security feature built into a network, designed to lure hackers into meaningless locations to avoid harm to genuine, crucial data.

An email that makes a false claim with criminal intentions, for example a virus warning. These emails may in fact carry a real virus and are designed to make the virus spread rapidly.

A fixed magnetic disk drive used to store data on computers.

A hacker is a person who violates computer security for malicious reasons or for personal gain.

The process by which someone develops a relationship with someone else with illegal or immoral intent. Often used to describe how paedophiles develop relationships with unsuspecting children.

1000 megabytes

A firewall that operates at the point where a private local area network connects to the public internet.

A backup where all the chosen files are backed up, regardless of whether they have changed since the last backup.

File Transfer Protocol, a method of transmitting data files over the internet, normally between businesses.

Where unauthorised users gain access to your wireless network connection.

Hardware or software designed to prevent unauthorised access to a computer or network over the internet.

A biometric form of authentication using fingerprints. Used increasingly on PCs as an alternative to passwords.

Making files available over the internet to other users, typically music or video files.

Executable file: used by programs to install and run on computers.

A trusted third party service that holds money, software or other assets pending completion of a transaction.

The process of converting data into cipher text (a type of code) to prevent it from being understood by an unauthorised party.

Software that scans incoming email for spam or viruses, or outgoing email for viruses – and filters it accordingly.

Files, such as documents or photographs, that are attached to an email.

When a user (particularly a malicious user) gains more access rights than they normally have.

Listening in to voice or data traffic without the knowledge or consent of the sender or recipient.

An unexpected ‘feature’ built into a computer program by the author. Can be added for fun or malicious intent.

A method of social engineering in which criminals raid rubbish bins to gather personal information.

To obtain content from the internet, as an email attachment or from a remote computer, to your own hard drive.

A server that converts recognisable domain names (eg microsoft.com) into their unique IP address (eg 207.46.245.222).

A website address, alternatively known as a URL.

The status of a Bluetooth device that has been set up to broadcast its existence to other Bluetooth devices.

Data that is used to identify and authenticate the sender and integrity of the message data. Can be bundled with a message or transmitted separately.

Software designed to prevent unauthorised access to a computer over the internet.

Deliberate overloading of a service by criminals to make it unavailable to legitimate users. For example, by arranging millions of simultaneous visits to a website – normally from a Bot Net.

The process of converting encrypted data back into its original form.

The Data Protection Act 1998 sets out the legal basis for handling, processing and protecting personal data in the UK.

A software update that fixes a security flaw.

Finding a password, password or PIN by trying many combinations of characters.

A small file which asks permission to be placed on your computer’s hard drive. Cookies allow web applications to personalise your experience by gathering and remembering information about your preferences.

The delivery of storage and computing capacity to end users via the internet. Commonly used for backing up data and hosting applications.

See cloud computing.

An application or system that accesses a service made available by a server – generally refers to a personal computer on a network.

An online discussion group where you can chat (by typing) with other users in real time.

The process of reversing a transaction and return of payment to a customer – typically when goods have not been received or are faulty.

An encrypted file containing user or server identification information, which is used to verify a website owner’s identity and to help establish a security-enhanced link.

A unit or measure of computer memory, usually consisting of eight binary digits (bits) processed together; usually enough to store a single letter or digit.

An error or flaw in a computer program.

When more information is added to a buffer than it was designed to hold. An attacker may exploit this vulnerability to take over a system.

A region of memory in which data is temporarily held before it is transferred between two locations or devices.

A program that lets users read and navigate pages on the Internet, such as Microsoft’s Internet Explorer, Mozilla’s Firefox, Google’s Chrome or Apple’s Safari.

A collection of otherwise unrelated PCs which have been infected by a virus and which are under the central control of criminals or hackers. Abbreviation for Robot Network.

A password that is needed before a computer starts up or any operating system can be loaded.

To start up or reset a computer, mobile phone or tablet.

A type of short-range wireless connection between devices like mobile phones, headsets and computers.

The basic binary unit of data, representing 0 or 1.

The BIOS software is built into the PC, and is the first software run by a PC when powered up. This software can be password protected, which stops the PC from starting up.

Using body measurements, such as fingerprints and irises, as a means of authentication.

The speed at which a network can transmit data – typically used to describe speed of internet connections.

Copying data to ensure its availability in the case of computer failure or loss.

A loophole in a computer’s security systems that allows a hacker to gain access. Often deliberately built in by developers for illicit purposes.

The process for verifying that someone or something is who or what it claims to be. In private and public computer networks (including the internet), authentication is generally done with passwords.

Files, such as programs or documents, that are attached to an email.

Automated Teller Machine: a cash machine, often referred to as a ‘hole the wall’.

Software specifically designed for the detection and prevention of known viruses. Often bundled in an internet security package.

Software specifically designed for the detection and prevention of spyware. Often bundled in an internet security package.

An operating system used by a number of smartphone and tablet manufacturers. The world’s most prolific operating system for smartphones.

AOL’s instant messaging system.

A form of spyware that displays unwanted advertisements on a computer.

Any fraud that tricks victims into paying money up front on the false hope of receiving something significant later.

A user with sufficient access rights to allow them to manage the access rights of other users and carry out other high-level computer management tasks.

They can enhance your browsing experience by allowing animation or help with tasks such as installing security updates at Microsoft Update. If you do not trust the website and publisher, click ‘Don’t run’ when prompted.

Controlling who has access to what information.

The standard for wireless networks.

A type of advance fee fraud, where you are asked to help transfer money out of another country. It originated in West Africa, and 419 is the section of the Nigerian legal code that covers the crime.

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