Security Terms and Definitions

Anti Virus Software:

Software that detects and removes computer viruses

Browser:

A program that allows a user to find, view, hear and interact with material on the World Wide Web. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are examples of popular browsers.

Encryption:

A way to make data unreadable to everyone except the recipient of a message

Firewall:

A firewall is hardware or software that enforces security on your computer or system. It’s like a locked door, preventing dangerous material from getting into the room

Hacker:

Someone who tries to get access to a computer system without authorization

ISP (Internet Service Provider):

A company that sells direct access to the Internet, either through local telephone number, dedicated cable line or other high speed connection

Identity Theft:

A criminal activity where a thief obtains vital information such as your name, birth date, Social Security number, or credit card number without your knowledge

Link:

A word, phrase, or image highlighted in a document to get someone from one place to another, typically on the Internet, but also within a document.

Operating System:

This is the main program that runs on a computer. An operating system allows other software to run and prevents unauthorized users from accessing the system. Major operating systems include Windows, UNIX, and Linux.

Pharming:

The criminal process of electronically gathering and selling the personal and financial information for multiple users through the use of phishing

Phishing:

An online identity theft scam --
Typically, criminals send emails that look like they’re from legitimate sources, but are not. The fake message generally includes a link to a phony, or spoofed website, where victims are asked to provide sensitive personal information. The information goes to criminals rather than the legitimate business.

Secure Socket Layer (SSL):

SSL technology secretly encodes information that is sent over the Internet between your computer and American Bank, helping to ensure that the information remains confidential.

Spam:

Unsolicited “junk” email sent to large numbers of people to promote products or services

Spyware:

A program that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge is called spyware. These programs gather information from your computers activities and sends them to an unknown source. These programs are especially dangerous when capturing financial information that can be used to commit fraud.

Virus:

A program that is loaded onto your computer without your knowledge and runs against your wishes. Viruses can make copies of themselves, quickly using up all available memory. Some viruses can transmit themselves across networks. Some viruses can cause damage to your computer.

Worm:

Typically, a malicious program that reproduces itself over a network and uses up computer resources or shuts down the system.