10 Cyber Security Terms You Need to Know

Cyber Security is full of jargon (terms used within a particular industry or group which are difficult for others to understand) and can be intimidating. 

However, these terms are very important to be aware of and understand. We’re here to help break down the most important terms you need to know.

10 Cyber Security Terms You Need to Know

1. Phishing – an email scam designed to deceive recipients into sharing sensitive information with a hacker. These emails often come from a reputable source such as a bank, social media channel, internal departments or other businesses with whom you have an account (they look very legit). 
2. Malware – (the bad guy) a term used to describe all forms of malicious software designed used to access, control, damage or disable computers. Common forms include viruses, worms and ransomware. 
3. Ransomeware – a type of malware that threatens o publish the victims’ data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid. 
4. Virus – a type of malware aimed to corrupt, erase or modify information on a computer. It’s a harmful little ‘software’ that will attach itself to active host programs and applications on your internet-connected device, then replicate itself which slows down your system.
5. Breach – the moment a hacker successfully exploits a vulnerability in a device and gains access to its files and network. “Houston, we have a problem…” 
6. Firewall – a defensive technology designed to keep the “bad guys” out. They can be hardware or software-based. 
7. VPN – acronym for a “Virtual Private Network.” It’s a secure channel between specific computers and networks that cannot be accessed by others of the same wide area network. It allows the user to remain anonymous while using the internet by making the location.
8. Dual Factor Authentication – A user access protocol that applies a secondary form of authentication factor (password) to a login process—such as biometric authentication, physical tokens, or single-use codes via a cell phone.
9. IP Address – The internet version of a home address for your computer which is identified when it communicates over a network. 
10. Dark Web – A bad place. Not searchable by conventional search engines and anonymizes the internet users who access it. It’s a location on the internet where compromised passwords can be accessed.

Check out our glossary to learn more.

 

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