Cybersecurity — as complex as it sounds — is an essential concept that we all need to be aware of in this day and age. Computers, phones, and smart devices have become an extension of our bodies at this point, which makes their security paramount. From your family photos to your bank details and social media handles, everything lives inside these devices. That’s why a security breach could have potentially life-changing consequences. With viruses and malware getting more advanced than ever, it’s no longer just a programmer’s job to care about cybersecurity. Every user should have at least a basic understanding of it to be able to implement it onto their devices.
But, most of us aren’t too tech-savvy, so we can’t even understand the most basic computer terms. That’s why the first step is to get familiar with cybersecurity jargon so that you can easily grasp and follow tutorials online. In this article, we’re covering some of the most common cybersecurity terms and phrases. We’ve handpicked the most important ones, so read till the end and don’t miss any. Let’s get into it!
Phishing
Phishing is a malicious way to get unsuspecting users to click on shady links or attachments, or get them to reveal sensitive information by posing as a legitimate organization or business. Some attempts can be spotted easier than others depending on how sophisticated the setup is, and the user’s level of awareness.
Trojan
Sometimes, harmful code can be disguised as a legitimate program, application, or file, which is called a Trojan.
Keylogger
A keylogger is a software tool that can monitor and record all keystrokes entered by a user. Through the data gathered by a keylogger, hackers can easily steal sensitive information like login details, credentials, OTPs (one-time passwords), private texts, and much more.
Account hijacking
Account hijacking is where a hacker takes control of a user’s account with malicious intent like stealing sensitive information or sharing problematic content through their platform. You could see it as a form of online identity theft, making it one of the biggest cybersecurity threats faced by celebrities and influential personalities.
DevSecOps
DevSecOps seem like gibberish at first glance, but it’s a combination of the words “development,” “security,” and “operations.”
The combined term refers to a software development approach that integrates security solutions into the development process right from the get-go. It’s ideal because, with cybersecurity threats, prevention really is better than cure.
Digital footprint
As an online user, anything you do online creates a “footprint” consisting of your activities on the internet. For instance, what you post, what you like, the purchases you make, or simply the web pages you browse through. That’s your digital footprint.
Cyber insurance
It’s a type of insurance that helps large organizations cover the risk of financial losses that may occur as a result of data breaches or cyberattacks.
Threat vector
Hackers or cyber attackers use a certain method or path to get into their target device, network, or system, referred to as the “threat vector.”
IP address
An Internet Protocol (IP) address consists of a series of numbers associated with WiFi routers, servers, computers, and just about anything that’s connected to the Internet. Just like your standard home address, an IP address specifies the location of a system or device, letting users find it anywhere on the global network.
Malware
Malware is one of the most common words used within the cybersecurity space. It’s short for “malicious software,” and can be any code that’s meant to cause harm to systems or computers. Depending on how dangerous it is, it can steal, delete, and spy on information, or even destroy a system altogether.
Virus
A computer virus is a specific type of malware that’s designed to corrupt, change, or delete information from a system. Like viral diseases, a computer virus also passes onto other systems through in-built multiplication means like sending out emails with malware as attachments, etc.
Antivirus software
Antivirus software, as the name suggests, is a computer program that’s responsible for preventing, detecting, and getting rid of malware. Getting a strong antivirus service for your Mac or Windows PC is the most important step you can take to reinforce your cybersecurity defenses as an average user.
VPN
Most of us already know or use VPNs, without ever even knowing what it stands for. It’s an acronym for “Virtual Private Network,” whereby the user’s actual IP address gets replaced by the VPN’s — granting them digital anonymity and making a cyber attacker’s life much harder.
Cryptojacking
Cryptojacking is another modern threat for unsuspecting users where hackers can start using your computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency in an unauthorized manner. This slows down performance and starts jacking up your utility bills while the user has no clue.
Data encryption
Data encryption is the process of encoding data such that no third party can access it unless they have a decryption key.
Data protection
Data protection is an umbrella term that consists of many different practices designed to prevent private info from getting exposed to the wrong eyes. Data encryption, for instance, is one of the examples of data protection.
DDoS attacks
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) is a method used by attackers to render a server or site unusable. It involves overwhelming it with bots or malicious traffic in volumes that are way over the capacity it’s meant to handle.
Worm
A worm is a particularly nasty type of malware that can reproduce itself just to spread to other networks and computers. They can either slow down the computer by compromising its resources or steal data.
Conclusion
Now that you know some of the most commonly used cybersecurity jargon, you can hopefully start to educate yourself on this crucial topic. This vocabulary should allow you to comprehend basic cybersecurity tutorials to perform regular tasks like installing an antivirus program, performing a scan, and quarantining or removing threats from your computer. All the best!
