ActiveX - A programming interface (API) that allows web browsers to download and execute Windows programs.
Adware - A program that generates pop-up advertisements based on information it collects about a user's browser patterns. When adware is installed without the user's consent, it is considered spyware.
Agent - a complex software entity that is capable of acting with a certain degree of autonomy in order to accomplish tasks on behalf of its user.
Anti-virus Software - Protects your computer from viruses that can destroy your data, slow your computer's performance, cause a crash, or even allow spammers to send email through your account.
Back door - A hole in the security of a computer system deliberately left in place by designers or maintainers. Synonymous with trap door; a hidden software or hardware mechanism used to circumvent security controls.
Bandwidth - A measure of the "speed" of an Internet connection.
Bizopps - Shorthand for "business opportunity;" some schemes involve extravagant and unfounded earnings claims and are actually fraudulent business ventures.
Bookmark - A web browser feature that allows you to save the addresses of interesting or frequently used websites, so that you can readily revisit them.
Boot sector - The very first sector on a hard drive. It contains the codes necessary for the computer to start up. It also contains the partition table, which describes how the hard drive is organized. Also called the Master Boot Record.
Broadband - A number of different methods used for high speed Internet access such as DSL, cable modems, fiber optics, and mobile wireless, all of which are permanently connected to the Internet through different means.
Browser - A program that allows a user to find, view, hear, and interact with material on the Internet.
Browser Hijacker - A common spyware program that changes your web browser's home page without the user's knowledge, even if you change it back.
Chat Room - The name given to a place or page in a website or online service where people can type messages which are displayed almost instantly on the screens of others who are in the "chat room."
Cookies - A small text file that a website can place on your computer's hard drive to collect information about your activities on the site or to allow the site to remember information about you and your activities.
Cross-Site scripting (XSS) - A security vulnerability of dynamic Web pages generated from information supplied to the web server and replayed as part of the response to the browse.
Cyberspace - Used to distinguish the physical world from the digital, or computer-based world.
Denial of Service (DoS) - A type of network computer attack that attempts to render a particular service (e.g. web site) unavailable to its audience.
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) - An attack by a botnet that bombards the target website with so many requests that it effectively shuts the site down to legitimate traffic. DDoS attacks are usually accompanied by an extortion demand from the botmaster.
Domain - A segment of Internet space, denoted by the function or type of information it includes; current domains include ".com" for commercial sites, ".gov" for governmental ones, and ".org" for non-commercial organizations.
Download - To copy files from one computer to another over the internet.
Drive-by Download – Software that installs on your computer without your knowledge when you visit certain websites. To avoid drive-by downloads, make sure to update your operating system and Web browser regularly.
DSL – Digital Subscriber Line: A type of high speed internet using standard phone lines and the local telephone network. DSL is almost always slower than cable modem or fiber optics.
Encryption - The scrambling of data into a secret code that can be read only by software set to decode the information.
Exposure - When sensitive data is released to someone without authorization.
Extended Service Set Identifier (ESSID) - The name a manufacturer assigns to a router. It may be a standard, default name assigned by the manufacturer to all hardware of that model. Users can improve security by changing to a unique name. Similar to a Service Set Identifier (SSID).
File extensions - A suffix to the name of a computer file applied to indicate the encoding convention (file format) of its contents.
Filter - Software that screens information on the Internet, classifies its content, and allows the user to block certain kinds of content.
Firewall - A system used to protect systems and networks from unauthorized access.
Hacker - Someone who uses computers and the Internet to access other people's computers without permission.
Header - Refers to supplemental data placed at the beginning of a block of data being stored or transmitted. In data transmission, the data following the header are sometimes called the payload or body.
Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) - A coding language used to create documents and websites on the Internet and control how they appear.
Hidden Dialers - Programs that you may unknowingly download that can use your computer to silently dial expensive phone calls which later show up on your phone bill.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) - The standard language that computers connected to the World Wide Web use to communicate with each other.
Instant messaging (IM) - A communications tool that combines the live nature of chat rooms with the direct contact of email. Users have to download the IM software, and then agree to be part of an interconnected group.
Internet Protocol (IP) - The computer language that allows computer programs to communicate over the Internet.
IP Address - A computer's "address," it consists of a series of numbers separated by periods.
Injecting - The exploitation of a computer bug that is caused by processing invalid data. Code injection can be used by an attacker to introduce (or "inject") code into a computer program to change the course of execution.
Internet Relay Chat - A synchronous communication system on the Internet. An individual uses an IRC client to contact one of the several IRC servers on the Internet. Once connected, the individual joins a channel or chat room and can communicate in realtime with others using the channel.
Java - A programming language originally developed by James Gosling at Sun Microsystems and released in 1995 as a core component of Sun Microsystems' Java platform.
JavaScript - A programming language for use in web pages that allows the use of dynamic content. In spite of the similarity in name to Java, it is not closely related to Java.
Macro - A macro is an abbreviation for a set of commands, so instead of typing a complicated sequence of commands you can simply type the macro's name.
Malware - A general term for malicious software that is specifically designed to attack or damage a computer. Viruses, Trojan horses, and worms are all types of malware.
Malhacker(s) – an individual, or groups of individuals, intent upon gathering information for gain (whether profit or intelligence), corrupting data, denying access to a computer system, or to observe what harm or havoc that can be perpetrated on a computer system. Synonym – miscreant(s) Note: This is a term of my own coinage and was submitted and added to Merriam-Webster's Open Dictionary on 7/16/2009. – Ron Wright
NETBIOS - An acronym for Network Basic Input/Output System. It provides services related to the session layer of the OSI model allowing applications on separate computers to communicate over a local area network.
Keystroke Logger - A device or program that records each keystroke typed on a particular computer.
LAN (Local Area Network) - A network of connected computers that are generally located near each other, such as in an office or company.
Monitoring Software - Programs that allow a parent or caregiver to monitor the websites a child visits or email messages he or she reads, without blocking access.
Media Access Control (MAC) Address - A unique number that the manufacturer assigns to each computer or other device in a network.
Network - A group of two or more computers that are able to communicate with one another.
Online Profiling - Compiling information about consumers' preferences and interests by tracking their online movements and actions in order to create targeted ads.
Operating System - The main program that runs on a computer. An operating system allows other software to run and prevents unauthorized users from accessing the system. Major operating systems include UNIX, Windows, MacOS, and Linux.
Opt-in - When a user explicitly permits a website to collect, use, or share his or her information.
Opt-out - When a user expressly requests that his/her information not be collected, used and/or shared. Sometimes a user's failure to "opt-out" is interpreted as "opting in."
P2P, Peer-to-Peer - A method of sharing files, usually music, games, or software, with other users through a sharing program that allows uploading and downloading files from other users online. Caution should be used as P2P sharing can lead to downloading dangerous as files are often misrepresented and can contain offensive material, malware, viruses, or other unintended items so trusted scanning software should always be used.
PGP - A program used for signing, encrypting, and decrypting emails. PGP is an acronym for Pretty Good Privacy.
Parental Controls - Tools that allow parents to prevent their children from accessing certain Internet content that they might find inappropriate.
Password attack - An attempt to steal passwords using a password cracking program.
Password sniffing - An attempt to steal passwords by using a program that scans all the messages traversing a network looking for passwords.
Personal Information - Information that can identify you, like your bank and credit card account numbers; your income; your Social Security number (SSN); or your name, address, and phone numbers.
Phishing - The criminally fraudulent process of attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
Pop-up Messages or Ads - Unsolicited advertising that appears as its own browser window.
Protocol - Rules determining the format and transmission of data.
Router - A device that connects two or more networks. A router finds the best path for forwarding information across the networks.
Social engineering - The act of manipulating people into performing actions or divulging confidential information.
Social networking Sites - Websites that allow users to build online profiles; share information, including personal information, photographs, blog entries, and music clips; and connect with other users, whether it be to find friends or land a job.
Sock Puppet - A secret alias used by a member of an Internet community, but not acknowledged by that person.
Software - A computer program with instructions that enable the computer hardware to work. System software — such as Windows or MacOS — operate the machine itself, and applications software — such as spreadsheet or word processing programs — provide specific functionality.
Spam - The abuse of electronic messaging systems to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately.
Spammer - Someone who sends unsolicited commercial email, often in bulk quantities.
Spam filter - A feature, usually part of an email program, which lets you block specific email messages. Spam filters can be set to block incoming mail from particular senders.
Spam Zombies - Home computers that have been taken over by spammers without the consent or knowledge of the computer owner. The computers are then used to send spam in a way that hides the true origin.
Spim - Spam sent via instant messaging.
Spyware - A program that collects information about the user and relays it to the originator. Spyware can be installed without the user's knowledge when installing new software, especially when it is freeware, or from clicking pop-up ads or display banners.
TCP/IP - Transfer Protocol Control/Internet Protocol. TCP/IP is a set of protocols developed to allow co-operating computers to share resources across a network.
Trojans - Programs that, when installed on your computer, enable unauthorized people to access it and sometimes to send spam from it.
TRUSTe - An online seal program. websites displaying the seal have agreed to abide with certain principles regarding user privacy. You can access the site's privacy policy by clicking on the seal.
Upload - To copy or send files or data from one computer to another.
Virus - A program that can sneak onto your computer — often through an email attachment — and then make copies of itself, quickly using up all available memory.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) - A security protocol developed to fix flaws in WEP. Encrypts data sent to and from wireless devices within a network.
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) - A security protocol that encrypts data sent to and from wireless devices within a network. Not as strong as WPA encryption.
Wireless Network - A method of accessing high speed Internet without the computer being linked by cables.
World Wide Web - An Internet system which distributes graphical, hyperlinked information through a browser.
Worm - A program that reproduces itself over a network and can use up your computer's resources and possibly shut your system down.
