Frequently used online identify theft and online security terminology.
| A |
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| AntiVirus Software |
|
| A computer software program that detects and responds to viruses and worms, blocking access to infected files and performing frequent updates. |
| B |
|
| Browser |
|
| A computer software program that is used to view and interact with Internet material on the World Wide Web. Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Internet Explorer are a few of the most popular browsers. |
| D |
|
| Dumpster Diving |
|
| Thieves rummage through trash looking for bills or other paper that includes your personal information. |
| E |
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| Encryption |
|
| A process in which data is scrambled before it is transferred so that it cannot be read by unauthorized parties. |
| Enhanced Security Login |
| Provides security at login, no matter what computer you sign in from, using additional end user authentication that helps to protect against online fraud. |
| F |
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| Firewall |
|
| A gateway supported by hardware or software that limits access between computer networks. Firewalls can
protect your home computer from hackers and your family from websites that may contain offensive material. |
| H |
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| Hacker |
|
| A person who tries to gain unauthorized access to a computer system. Hackers are known to modify computer
programs and security systems that protect home and office computers. |
| K |
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| Keystroke Capture |
|
| A spyware program or device that records what users type on
their computer. Also referred to as "Keystroke Logger". |
| M |
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| Malware |
|
| Also known as 'malicious software', malware is designed to
harm, attack or take over unauthorized control over a computer
system. See Virus, Trojan Horse
and Worm. |
| O |
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| Opt-In |
|
| Permission granted to a business or organization to use your email address for promotional or marketing
purposes, or to rent your email address to another organization. |
| Opt-Out |
| The opposite of Opt-In - not granting permission for a business
or organization to use your email address for promotional
or marketing purposes, or to rent your email address to another
organization. |
| P |
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| Patch |
|
| A new software release created to update a computer software
program. Updates may include security, performance, or usability
enhancements. |
| Pharming |
| Pharming takes place when users type in a valid URL and you are illegally redirected to a web site that is not
legitimate in order to capture personal information through the internet such as credit card numbers, bank account
information, Social Security numbers and other sensitive information. |
| Phishing |
| The process of seeking to obtain personal information illegally through email or pop-up messages in order
to deceive you into disclosing your credit card numbers, bank account information, Social Security number, passwords, or other sensitive information. |
| Pop-Up Ads |
| A form of web advertising that appears as a "pop-up" on a computer screen, they are intended to increase
web traffic or capture email addresses. However, sometimes pop-up ads are designed with malicious intent
like when they appear as a request for personal information from a financial institution. |
| Privacy Policy |
| A standard policy included on most corporate web sites that explains how personal information collected about
visitors to a company's site is handled. |
| S |
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| Service Pack |
|
| A software program that updates, fixes and/or enhances a software program found on your computer, typically
delivered in the form of a single, installable package. |
| Skimming |
| When an unauthorized second copy of a credit or debit card is taken by an employee at a store by using a
storage device that copies the details held within the card's magnetic strip. |
| Spam |
| Unsolicited bulk electronic "junk" messages sent to huge numbers of people via email, instant messaging,
Usenet newsgroups, and more. |
| Spoofing |
| A form of phishing, a way for cyber criminals to send emails that look legitimate,
but are not, to falsely represent a legitimate company or organization. The false email from phishing will
include a phony link to what closely resembles a legitimate web site address. Once clicked upon, the
victim is asked to provide personal information which is then forwarded to criminals. |
| Spyware |
| Loaded onto your computer unbeknownst to you, spyware is a type of program that watches what users do and
forwards information to hackers over the internet. |
| T |
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| Trojan Horse |
|
| A malicious program that is disguised or embedded within a
legitimate software program that, when activated, unwittingly
allows hackers to gain unauthorized access to the computer. |
| V |
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| Virus |
|
| A self-replicating computer program, loaded on to your computer without your knowledge that spreads by
making copies of itself and clogging up your computer's memory. |
| W |
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| Worm |
|
| Similar to a computer virus, a worm attaches itself to, and becomes part of, another executable program.
Able to self-propagate, worms generally harm the network and consume bandwidth. |
