Understanding cybersecurity can be challenging due to the technical language used in the field. Here’s a glossary of 50 essential cybersecurity terms to help you get a handle on the basics:
1. Access Control
Mechanisms and policies that determine who can access or modify resources within a system.
2. Antivirus Software
Programs designed to detect, prevent, and remove malware from computers and networks.
3. Authentication
The process of verifying the identity of a user or system before granting access to resources.
4. Authorization
Determining what actions a user or system is permitted to perform after authentication.
5. Botnet
A network of compromised computers or devices controlled remotely by an attacker, often used to launch coordinated attacks.
6. Brute Force Attack
A method used to gain access by systematically trying all possible passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is found.
7. Cryptography
The practice of securing information by transforming it into an unreadable format for unauthorized users.
8. Cyberattack
An attempt to breach or damage a computer system, network, or device for malicious purposes.
9. Data Breach
An incident where unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive or confidential information.
10. Denial of Service (DoS)
An attack aimed at making a service or network unavailable by overwhelming it with excessive traffic.
11. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)
A type of DoS attack where multiple compromised systems are used to flood a target with traffic, making it difficult to mitigate.
12. Endpoint Security
Measures and technologies used to protect individual devices, such as computers and smartphones, from security threats.
13. Firewall
A network security device or software that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
14. Hacker
An individual who uses technical skills to gain unauthorized access to systems or networks, either for malicious purposes or to discover vulnerabilities.
15. Incident Response
The process of managing and addressing the aftermath of a security breach or cyberattack to minimize damage and recover as quickly as possible.
16. Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
A system that monitors network or system activities for malicious activities or policy violations and alerts administrators.
17. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
A system that monitors network traffic and actively blocks or prevents detected threats.
18. Malware
Malicious software designed to harm, exploit, or otherwise compromise a computer system or network.
19. Phishing
A type of social engineering attack where attackers deceive individuals into providing sensitive information by pretending to be a trustworthy entity.
20. Ransomware
A type of malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands a ransom payment for the decryption key.
21. Social Engineering
Manipulative tactics used by attackers to deceive individuals into divulging confidential information or performing actions that compromise security.
22. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
A security process that requires two forms of identification before granting access, such as a password and a code sent to a mobile device.
23. Vulnerability
A weakness or flaw in a system, network, or application that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or cause harm.
24. Worm
A type of malware that replicates itself and spreads across networks without needing to attach to other files or programs.
25. Zero-Day Exploit
An attack that targets a previously unknown vulnerability, for which there is no available fix or patch at the time of the attack.
26. Backup
A copy of data stored separately from the original to protect against data loss or corruption.
27. Bot
A software application programmed to perform automated tasks, often used maliciously to launch attacks or spread malware.
28. Clickjacking
A malicious technique where attackers trick users into clicking on something different from what they perceive, potentially leading to unintended actions or security breaches.
29. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
A vulnerability that allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users, potentially stealing data or compromising security.
30. Data Encryption Standard (DES)
An obsolete symmetric-key algorithm used for data encryption, replaced by more secure algorithms.
31. Digital Certificate
A digital document used to verify the identity of an individual or organization and to establish a secure, encrypted connection.
32. Exploit
A piece of code or software designed to take advantage of a vulnerability in a system or application.
33. Firewall Rules
Predefined rules that specify what network traffic should be allowed or blocked by a firewall.
34. Honeypot
A security resource used to attract and monitor potential attackers to study their techniques and gather intelligence.
35. Insider Threat
A security risk posed by individuals within an organization who misuse their access to compromise security.
36. Keylogger
A type of malware that records keystrokes made on a computer or mobile device to capture sensitive information, such as passwords.
37. Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) Attack
An attack where the attacker intercepts and potentially alters communication between two parties without their knowledge.
38. Network Segmentation
The practice of dividing a network into smaller, isolated segments to improve security and manageability.
39. Penetration Testing (Pen Test)
A simulated cyberattack conducted to identify and assess vulnerabilities in a system or network before they can be exploited by real attackers.
40. Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)
A framework for managing digital certificates and encryption keys used to secure communications and authenticate identities.
41. Patch
A software update designed to fix vulnerabilities, bugs, or issues in a system or application.
42. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)
A system that provides real-time analysis of security alerts generated by various hardware and software components.
43. Spyware
A type of malware designed to secretly monitor and collect information about a user’s activities without their consent.
44. Threat
Any potential danger or risk that could exploit a vulnerability and cause harm to a system or network.
45. Threat Intelligence
Information about current and emerging threats, used to anticipate and defend against potential attacks.
46. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A technology that creates a secure, encrypted connection over a less secure network, such as the internet, to protect data transmission.
47. Vulnerability Assessment
The process of identifying and evaluating security weaknesses in a system or network.
48. Whaling
A type of phishing attack targeting high-profile individuals, such as executives or senior management, to steal sensitive information or money.
49. White Hat Hacker
An ethical hacker who uses their skills to identify and fix security vulnerabilities, often working with organizations to improve their security posture.
50. Zero Trust Security
A security model that assumes all network traffic, both internal and external, is untrusted and requires verification before granting access.
This glossary covers fundamental cybersecurity terms that will help you understand key concepts and communicate effectively in the field of cybersecurity.