frumontheweb

Definitions

Page history last edited by Kayza 2 yrs ago

These are short definitions of important words. In many cases there is a page (or more) discussing the particular issue. This list is far from exhaustive. I've simply tried to define words that I use on the site. There are more exhaustive dictionaries available, which I (will) list in Specialized Reference Sources

Important Terms

TERM	DEFINITION
AdWare	A program that pushes advertisements to your browser or computer.
Anti-Spyware	Software that finds and gets rid of spyware. It may often find other types of malware as well. Some software can be set to monitor usage and find / stop installation and action of such software.
AntiVirus	Software that finds and gets rid of viruses. The comments about antispyware apply here as well.
Browser	A program that allows you to get on-line and go to web sites
Cyberspace	The internet is often though of as cyberspace, but the term also includes all the interconnections between computers and the information that is store, accessed and exchanged.
Domain Name	The main name of a "section" on the internet (eg pbwiki.com, which is the domain that hosts this site, or ou.org, which has many pages about aspects of the OU.)
E-mail	Electronic mail. Messages that come via an on-line connection. They can have text and pictures, and can have attached files.
Firewall	Hardware or software that blocks different types of traffic and web sites.
Host	The place in cyberspace where your site resides. This means the physical server, at minimum. It may also include the domain name and / or web address. Also, toprovide this space.
Instant Messaging / IM	A method by which people have real time typed conversations.
Keylogger	A program that records all of your keystrokes, and sometimes your mouse clicks as well. The biggest danger is that it can provide someone with things like your passwords. Sometimes an employer will use a keylogger on computers used by staff. This is legal, in most cases.
Macro	A keyboard shortcut that takes the palce of a series of keystrokes and / or mouse clicks, or a script that automates specific tasks in Windows or a variety of programs. For instance, mist recent workd processors and spreadsheets allow macros to automate a variety of tasks.
Malware / Badware	General term for unwanted sotware that can have negative effects
Nigerian Scam / 409 Fraud	A common type of fraudulent message (which predates email) that is named after the country most often named in these messages and the section of its penal code that they transgress. The message is generally about someone who needs help in “freeing” large amounts of money (generally the story is about funds that were not honestly come by), and who is willing to pay a good portion of the money for “help” by giving out sensitive information such as bank account information.
On Demand	Something that runs only when you call it. This is generally used for anti-virus and anti-spyware scanners that run when you "demand" or launch it.
Real Time	Something that runs all the time, and responds at the time that something comes up. In this context, it refers to anti-virus and anti-spyware scanners that are always on, and respond to virus / spyware or similar activity in "real time" - when the activity happens.
Remote Control	Software that allows someone else to control your computer from a distance. Such software actually comes with Windows, and when the owner of the computer controls the software it can be very useful. However, if the computer is not properly set up, someone may be able to abuse it. It is also a problem if the software is hidden from you.
Rootkit	Hidden software that can take charge of a computer or certain aspects of it, generally without your knowledge or consent. They are the hardest to find and get rid of, as a class.
Spam	The common name for “Unwanted Commercial Email” or email that comes to sell. Some spam may come from legitimate companies, but much contains questionable materials of every type, and often are total fraud.
Spyware	Software that allows others to find out information from your computer without your knowledge and / or permission.
Text Messaging / SMS	Similar to Instant messaging, but generally for cell phones.
Trojan Horse	A program that seems to be harmless but hides other code that would be considered malware (eg it can destroy information)
Virus	A program that can do unwanted things (ranging from silly pranks to damage of programs and data), and which infects other disks, programs or macros. This term is often used to describe Worms as well.
Worm	A program that behaves like a virus, but uses other means of replicating, rather than infecting disks, programs or macros.