Security jargon explained

jjones | Guides | 13/07/2008 14:18pm
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Learn the lingo

Adware

Covert programs which are used by companies to target your computer with adverts. They generally do no actual damage to your machine, but constitute a breach of privacy – and
are extremely annoying!

Behavioural

A method of anti-virus protection which analyses the behaviour of files to decide if they are a threat, rather than checking them against a database of known viruses. This is an effective way of detecting viruses which haven’t been discovered by security companies, but it can sometimes be a bit suspicious about legitimate software that it’s monitoring.

Botnet

A botnet is a term that describes a collection of computers that have been infected by viruses. The computers are placed under outside control and can be used to spread viruses, attack networks, or spread spam.

Cookies

Small files that are saved to your hard drive when you visit web sites. They usually contain information about your browsing habits and can be used for a number of things, such as site preferences and user information. If you’ve ever returned to a web site you’ve previously logged into and found that you’re automatically logged in again, then
this is due to a cookie.

Definitions

When anti-virus companies discover new viruses, they enter the codes into vast databases, and the unique strings of code are known as definitions or signatures. Most anti-virus programs use these definitions to check for viruses, but the volume of new ones means that they can never be 100 per cent up-to-date.

Dialer

A piece of malware which covertly changes the number that your modem dials to access the internet from the freephone or low-rate number of your ISP, to a premium rate number. Not a problem for broadband users, but a menace for those on older dial-up connections.

Encryption

The method of breaking down a file and converting it into a code. When the file is encrypted no one is able to view the file unless they have the correct password or ‘key’.

Firewall

Primarily a computer but often a hardware appliance, whose job it is to inspect network traffic passing between your PC and the internet. The firewall regulates the passage of traffic and differentiates trusted information, stopping the flow of data which may cause your PC harm or contain sensitive information.

Identity theft

Identity theft is a common crime, where criminals steal personal details from their victim to pose as them in order to open bank accounts, claim benefits and apply for driving licences.

Incoming

The flow of traffic which comes from the internet or local network onto your PC. Some firewalls only inspect incoming traffic and ignore other types of traffic, which means that data can often be sent out without the user being alerted.

Keyloggers

Covert programs which record every keystroke made by your PC. This data can be analysed to find out your usernames and passwords, then get into your accounts.

Keylogging

A method of recording what a victim types through malicious programs that are installed without the victim’s knowledge. Criminals can view a person’s user name and password and then use them to gain access to their account.

Outgoing

All information which is sent from your computer out to web sites and ISPs, ranging from your unique internet address to information sent from any program on your PC – whether legitimate or otherwise.

Personal information

Anything that helps identify you online, over the phone or even in person. If someone gains access to these details they can easily pose as you. They include your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and bank account number.

Phishing

This is a type of spam that seems to be from a legitimate bank or business, but is actually a covert request for your personal information or log-in details. These emails usually have links to imitation websites that look like the real thing. Your details, should you actually visit the site and enter them, are then sold on to gangs who use the information to commit identity theft or fraud.

‘Phoning home’

Some applications secretly contact their manufacturer or creator, mostly sending back information such as viewing habits, or in extreme cases captured information from keyloggers, which capture key presses to find bank details, or rootkits which track your PC habits.

Rootkits

Rootkits are programs which embed themselves deep within operating systems and help outside users take control of your computer.

Social networking

An online community where people meet to share interests, such as sports and music, or to get in touch with old friends.

Spam

Spam is unsolicited email sent indiscriminately to numerous recipients én masse. The messages within the spam emails are often used to advertise products for sale, usually at too-good-to-be-true prices, but they may also promote scams, or even worse, contain dangerous malware.

Spam filter

Spam filters use complex algorithms to examine the contents of incoming emails so they can work out which of them are solicited and which are not. If suspicious emails are detected, they are sent to a separate folder so that the inbox is left free of unsolicited and potentially dangerous spam. Most internet security suites have some kind of spam filter.

Spear-phishing

This is much like phishing, except the criminals use your personal details that they find online, at places such as Facebook or your blog page, to make their fake emails appear more authentic.

Spoofing

A way of altering the appearance of an email or web site to make it look more genuine, usually by disguising the fraudulent sender’s email address and by using a web address similar to the authentic one.

Spyware

Computer software that is installed
on your PC without your permission, and tracks what you’re doing – sometimes in an attempt to get access to your personal details.

Strong password

Having a strong password is essential for securing your personal data. A strong password is one that is almost impossible to crack, and that is made up of random letters,
numbers and symbols.

Trojans

A type of program which appears to be legitimate – encouraging you to choose to download it – but once it reaches your PC it unpacks to reveal nasty malware or spyware. Trojans are different to viruses because they cannot spread by themselves.

Virus

A program which can copy and install itself to a computer – causing damage to the files – and which spread to other machines using a variety of techniques, such as through instant messengers or email.

Worm

Like a virus, a worm is a selfreplicating computer program but unlike a normal virus, it doesn’t need to attach itself to a program to spread. Worms can spread across networks and often remain undetected as they do damage.

Zombie

The term used for a computer that has been made part of a botnet. Zombie machines are used to spread spam so that the actual perpetrators’ activities won’t be found out by the authorities.

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