Cybersecurity Terms & Definitions
Making sure that remote learning is safe can require picking up a whole new vocabulary with unfamiliar words. Understanding what the most commonly used terms mean can help students, parents and teachers use tools to protect themselves and their schools online.
Adware: Software or code that shows unwanted ads such as pop-ups on a device
Anti-virus software: Software that tries to stop viruses or malware from attacking a computer or other device
Blog/blogging (or weblog): A website that lets users keep a journal or diary on any subject they like and leave comments on other users' posts
Bookmark: A saved website that is part of a group or folder of other favorite websites on a browser
Browser: A website or program that lets users look around the internet (e.g., Safari, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Chrome)
Chatroom: A website or program that allows users to talk with lots of people at once, like texting on the internet instead of the phone
Cookie: A small packet of software that lets a website or browser track users by storing some of their information, such as what clothing online shoppers like
Cyberbullies/cyberbullying: Harmful actions such as repeatedly making fun of and intimidating others online through email, texting, social media and even gaming apps
Cybercrime: Any illegal activity done on the internet
Cybersecurity: Anything done to protect computers, devices and software from cybercrimes
Discussion boards: Websites that allow users to post comments and have conversations with other users, for example, in online classes
Domain name: The part of an internet address after the final period that identifies the type of organization using a website (e.g., .gov or .com)
Download: Using the internet to send a copy of a file from one website, system, program, computer or device to another
Electronic footprint: An online record of all the websites a user visits and the emails a user sends, which can stay even after deleting their browser history and emails
Electronic mail (e-mail): Letters and messages sent from one computer or device to another computer or device
File sharing: Software or a program that allows many users to access a computer file at the same time (e.g., Google Drive and Dropbox)
Firewall: A security system usually made up of hardware and software that blocks hackers, viruses and other malicious threats from a computer
Gamer tag: A user name or nickname a person uses while playing games online
Gaming: Playing games on the internet by oneself or with other players
Griefers: Internet gamers who intentionally cause problems and/or cyberbully other gamers
Hardware: Physical computer equipment and related machines and parts
History: A record of all the websites visited kept by a browser
Homepage: The introductory page of a website
Identity theft: A crime in which personal information, such as credit card numbers and social security numbers, is stolen, often to take money
Instant message/messaging (IM): Private, real-time text conversations among users
Internet: The giant collection of computer networks that connects people and information all over the world
Internet service provider (ISP): A company that connects users to the internet
Malware: Malicious software or code used to steal information and damage devices
Modem: An internal or external device that connects a computer to cables or other lines that let users access the internet
Parental controls: Tools for parents, teachers and schools to manage how kids use the internet, such as blocking certain sites
Phishing: A type of cyberattack in which someone pretends to be a trustworthy person, website or organization to get victims to share their username, password or other personal information
Post: Putting information on the internet, whether through a video, discussion board, comment or other means
Search engine: A website used to search the internet (e.g., Google and Bing)
Short message service (SMS): A form of text messaging between cell phones and sometimes between computers and cell phones
Social media: A program, app or website that allows users to share ideas, information and work together
Software: A program that runs on a computer
Spam: Any unwelcome and unwanted e-mail or junk mail, including repeated comments on another's post
Spyware: Software put on a computer to spy and collect and send information to cybercriminals
Surfing: Looking around the internet, also called browsing
Texting: Sending short messages between computers and devices
Uniform resource locator (URL): The web address of a person, place or thing
Upload: Sending information from one device to another
Username: The name a person chooses to use to be recognized and identified online
Virus: Code or software that can replicate itself, is usually sent through email attachments and can damage computers and hard drives
Webcam: A camera built into or attached to a computer that can send video online
Wireless: Connection between a computer and a modem on radio frequencies that allows accessing the internet without being connected to wires
(Source: Internet Safety 101)