Cybersecurity Glossary
A lot of security sounds like high-tech jargon. It's not. Here's what the most common terms *actually* mean, in plain English.
- Antivirus (AV)
- Your digital immune system. Software that scans for, detects, and removes known malware like viruses, worms, and trojans.
- Backdoor
- A secret "way in" to a system that bypasses all the normal security. Trojans are the #1 way attackers install a backdoor, allowing them to come and go as they please.
- Botnet
- A "robot network." It's a huge army of infected computers (called "zombies") all controlled by one master attacker. They use botnets to send spam or launch massive "DDoS" attacks to knock websites offline.
- Encryption
- The process of scrambling data so it can't be read without a special "key." This is what keeps your online banking safe. It's also the weapon used by ransomware.
- Firewall
- A digital bouncer for your network. It sits between your premium gadgets and the internet, blocking suspicious connections from getting in or out.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Also called 2FA. This is your single best defense. It means a password *alone* isn't enough to log in. You also need a second "factor," usually a one-time code from your phone. This stops attackers who have stolen your password.
- Payload
- The part of the malware that does the actual damage. A phishing email might be the *delivery system*, but the ransomware it drops is the *payload*.
- Zero-Day Vulnerability
- A brand-new security hole in a piece of software (like Windows or your browser) that the developers don't know about yet. This is a prime target for high-end attackers, as no patch exists to stop them.