[Cisspstudy] Computer Jargon in Plain English

[Prakash]

Hello all,



I am sharing Computer Jargon in Plain English, You can use it as ready reference for CISA, CISM & CISSP exams.





BROADBAND:  Broad bandwidth networking. High-speed Internet
connections, like DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), Cable Internet, and 3G
(Third

Generation) cellular services.

 

DSL: Digital
Subscriber Line. One of the most common ways to bring Internet to homes
and small businesses over a telephone line at up to

12 Megabits/second.

 

CABLE OR CABLE
INTERNET: The other most common way to bring Internet to homes over
cable TV lines at speeds ranging from 1.5 to 50

Megabits/second.

 

FiOS:
Fiber-Optic Service. An emerging technology that provides Internet to
homes and offices over fiber-optic cables at speeds from 15 to 50

Megabits/second.

 

WI-FI:
Wireless Fidelity. The most common kind of short-range wireless
networking--about 300 feet--at speeds of up to 108 Megabits/second.

 

EDGE or EVDO:
An older kind of wide-area wireless networking-like a whole city--based
on first and second generation cellphone technology

with speeds ranging from 300 to 400 kilobits/second. 

 

3G: Third Generation cellular service. Enhanced wide-area wireless networking at speeds of up to 14 Megabits/second.

 

4G: Fourth
Generation cellular service or WIMAX. An emerging wide-area networking
technology that promises a range of 10 miles and speeds of

up to 100 Megabits/second.

 

ETHERNET: A way of connecting computers to networks using a cable at speeds ranging from 10 to 10,000 Megabits/second.

 

FIREWALL: Software or hardware that prevents outsiders from accessing a computer or network.

 

ROUTER: A device that finds the best route for sending information between networks.

 

IP ADDRESS:
Internet Protocol Address. Every computer on the Internet is identified
by a unique set of numbers known as an Internet Protocol

address--usually
four numbers separated by dots, for example: 74.125.53.100. These
numerical addresses are normally invisible to users and are translated into familiar Web addresses, like http://www.google.com.



VIRUS:  A
self-replicating program designed to cause damage or mischief that
inserts itself into a software program on your computer.  Viruses spread from computer to computer, most often through infected emails or websites.

 

WORM:  Similar
to a virus, but worms are self-contained, spread via networks, and do
not need to become part of another program in order to spread. Worms infect your operating system and act like a program.

 

TROJAN HORSE:
A malicious program that may appear harmless-or even useful-but can
also conceal and download other malware that compromises

the security and functioning of your computer.

 

RANSOMWARE: A
cyber-extortion scheme in which thieves use malware--like phony
security programs--to take control of your computer and demand

that you pay a ransom to regain control.

 

SPYWARE and
ADWARE: Spyware is a malicious program that installs itself on your
computer surreptitiously and monitors and reports your activities and personal information to third parties. Adware is a kind of spyware that generates annoying popup ads.

 

KEYLOGGERS: Spyware that monitors your keystrokes surreptitiously and sends the information to a "Bad Guy."



HACKERS AND
CRACKERS: Individuals who break into systems with malicious intent,
destroy data, steal copyrighted software or confidential

information, and perform other destructive or illegal acts with computers and networks.

 

VULNERABILITIES
AND EXPLOITS: Your computer is vulnerable when a hardware or software
flaw makes it possible to compromise its security

and smooth
operation. An exploit is a software application or program that takes
advantage of a vulnerability to attack your system.

 

SNIFFING: Listening in on a network in order to capture and steal sensitive information.

 

SPOOFING:  An
attack in which a person or program you shouldn't trust masquerades as
a person or program you do trust. For example, an

attacker forges an email address in order to make you believe it's from someone you know and trust.

 

PHISHING: A
widespread form of Internet fraud that aims to steal valuable
information such as credit card and social security numbers and usernames and passwords, by sending you misleading emails designed to lure you into visiting phony or rigged websites.

 

IDENTITY
THEFT:  Cybercriminals steal identities by overhearing conversations on
cellphones, intercepting faxes and emails, hacking into computers, employing telephone and email scams, and phishing the users of online services.

 

SOCIAL ENGINEERING: Deceptions by criminals posing as someone you trust in order to get you to divulge sensitive information.



SOURCE - SANS



- Prakash

http://www.linkedin.com/in/prakashp




      
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