Chapter 4-Security

Question	Answer
Access levels	Settings that determine who can access an item and what they can do with it (read, write, delete). Applies to files, folders, and databases among other things.
Anti-virus	Software to detect and remove viruses and other malware.
Asymmetric key encryption	Encryption system in which two keys are used: a public key used only to encrypt data, and a private key used only to decrypt it.
Authentication	Establishing a user's identity.
Backdoor	Method of bypassing security in a system, built in by the system designers.
Biometric enrolment	Process of registering a user for a biometric system by taking an initial sample.
Biometric template	Measurements taken from a biometric sample.
Biometrics	Use of fingerprints, retina scans, or other body features as an authentication mechanism.
Botnet	Group of zombie computers under the control of a criminal
Brute force attack	Attempt to break a password by trying all possible combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols.
CAPTCHA	“Scribble text” displayed as an image, which the user must type in to verify that they are a person.
Certificate Authority	Organization that issues digital certificates to individuals and companies
Ciphertext	Result of encrypting plaintext.
Computer Misuse Act	UK law governing criminal offences committed using a computer.
Cracking	Gaining illegal access to a computer system
DDoS	Denial of service attack committed using dozens of computers, usually zombies on a botnet.
Denial of service attack	Flooding a computer system with data so that it cannot respond to genuine users
Dictionary attack	Attempt to break a password by trying all possible words.
Digital signatures	Technique used to authenticate remote users, such as online shopping businesses.
Distributed Denial of Service attack	Denial of service attack committed using dozens of computers, usually zombies on a botnet.
DNS poisoning	Technique used by criminals to alter DNS records and drive users to fake sites, to committing phishing.
DoS	Flooding a computer system with data so that it cannot respond to genuine users.
Drive-by download	Program which automatically downloads when a user visits a web page, usually without their knowledge or consent.
Encryption	System of encoding plaintext so that it cannot be understood with access to an encryption key
Encryption key	Used to encrypt and decrypt data.
EV SSL	Extended Validation SSL. Digital certificate validation technique used on the world wide web.
False negative	When a system incorrectly rejects an action instead of accepting it
False positive	When a system incorrectly accepts an action instead of rejecting it
Full disk encryption	System that encrypts all data saved to a hard disk automatically and transparently
Hacking	Gaining illegal access to a computer system
Home directory	Directory that contains a user’s personal files.
HTTPS	Protocol used to send web pages securely over the Internet.
Identity theft	Stealing personal data in order to impersonate a person.
Key escrow	Idea of having encryption keys stored by a third party company so the government can access them if needed.
Key logger	Software or hardware which records all key strokes on a computer system
Key pair	A public key and private key that work together in a public encryption system.
Macro virus	Virus that takes advantage of the macro programming languages built into some software.
Malware	Generic name for malicious software
Multi-factor authentication	Use of several authentication techniques together, such as passwords and security tokens.
One time password	Password generated by a security token, which expires as soon as it is used.
Packet sniffer	Software or hardware used to collect data travelling over a network.
Passphrase	Word or phrase used to authenticate a user.
Password	Word or phrase used to authenticate a user.
Pharming	Technique used by criminals to alter DNS records and drive users to fake sites, to committing phishing.
Phishing	Use of fake emails and web sites to trick users into revealing sensitive data
Physical security	Locks, alarms, and other techniques used to securely a building or computer room.
Plaintext	Message before it is encrypted, or after it has been decrypted.
Private key	Key used for decryption in a public key encryption system
Public key	Key used for encryption in a public key encryption system.
Public key encryption	Encryption system in which two keys are used: a public key used only to encrypt data, and a private key used only to decrypt it.
Root user	User will full control over a computer system.
Rootkit	Type of malware which infiltrates the operating system and attempts to hide itself from view.
Secret key encryption	Encryption system in which a single key is used for both encryption and decryption.
Secure Socket Layer	System used to encrypt https web traffic.
Security token	Hardware device that must be present during login to authenticate a user.
Security update	Software update to fix a security problem discovered in software
Smishing	Phishing attacks committed using text messages (SMS)
Social engineering	Tricking a user into revealing their password or other sensitive data.
Spam	Unwanted, bulk email.
Spam bot	Program that scans web pages for email address, in order to send spam
Spam filters	Program designed to identify and block spam messages while letting genuine messages through.
Spyware	Malware which covertly records a user's actions, such as their key presses.
SSL	System used to encrypt https web traffic.
Symmetric key encryption	Encryption system in which a single key is used for both encryption and decryption.
System administrator	Personal in overall charge of a computer system in an organisation.
TLS	System used to encrypt https web traffic
Transport Layer Security	System used to encrypt https web traffic
Trojan horse	Malware which pretends to be a genuinely useful program to trick the user into using it.
Unauthorised access	Gaining illegal access to a computer system
Virus	Computer program which damages files and data spreads when infected programs are copied.
Virus definition file	Used by anti-virus programs to recognise known viruses.
Vishing	Phishing attacks committed using telephone calls or VoIP systems.
Vulnerability scanner	Software to scan a system for potential security problems.
Web bug	Technique used by spammers to detect if an email address is valid or not.
WEP	Wired Equivalence Protocol. Wireless network encryption system.

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	Created by Alex Pascutiu about 7 years ago