IT Vocabulary
A global network with millions of computers to share information and communicate.
Internet
A fraudulent email or message designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords, usually by email.
Phishing
The primary component that executes instructions and acts as the "brain" of the computer.
CPU
An authentication method that requires two different forms of identification before granting access to an account.
Multi factor authentication or double authentication
The software that manages computer hardware, system resources and provides a way to use the PC.
Operating System
Software designed to help users perform specific tasks usually with a graphic interface.
Application or Program
Any malicious software like viruses, worms, or spyware designed to damage or gain unauthorized access to a system.
Malware
High speed temporary memory that stores data the computer is actively using, but loses its contents when powered off.
RAM
A security software or network device that filters network traffic based on predefined rules.
Firewall
Software whose source code is made free and available to the public for viewing, modification, and redistribution.
Open Source Software
The physical components of a computer
Hardware
A cyberattack that floods a network or server with traffic to render it unavailable to users.
DDOS Attack
The printed circuit that connects all hardware components together.
Creating duplicate copies of important files on an external drive or cloud storage to prevent data loss.
A linux software program or background service that automatically performs routine tasks or scripts.
Cron
A central computer that stores data, manages network traffic, and serves resources to other computers.
Server
Malicious code that encrypts a victim’s files and demands payment to restore access.
Ransomware
A modern, fast storage device with no moving parts that uses flash memory to store operating systems and files.
SSD
Encrypting your internet connection to create a private tunnel over public networks.
VPN
Software designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious programs from a computer system.
Antivirus
A unique set of numbers assigned to every device connected to a computer network.
IP Address
An attack where the person secretly intercepts messages in a communication between other persons or computers.
Man in the middle attack
An expansion card dedicated to processing images, video and 3D graphics for rendering onto a monitor.
Graphics card
A software application that stores and manages complex passwords for all your online services.
Password Manager
The fundamental software built into a motherboard's microchip that initializes hardware during startup before loading the operating system (POST).
BIOS