Internet security

Internet security

Definitions for common terms and phrases related to security threats, vulnerabilities, and technology.

Contributors in Internet security

Internet security

An unwanted electronic message, most commonly unsolicited bulk email. Typically, spam is sent to multiple recipients who did not ask to receive it. Types include email spam, instant messaging spam, ...

Ransomware

Internet; Internet security

Malicious software created by a hacker that encrypts the hard drive of the PC it infects. The hacker then extorts money from the PC's owner in exchange for decryption software to make the PC's data ...

File transfer protocol (FTP)

Internet; Internet security

Historically used to transfer files between systems, the standard File Transfer Protocol (FTP) control port is TCP Port 21 in IP networking terminology.

Operating system (OS)

Internet; Internet security

The most important programme that runs on a computer. Every general-purpose computer must have an operating system to run other programs. Operating systems perform such basic tasks as recognising ...

.DAT files

Internet; Internet security

The type of files that are used to determine anti-virus or anti-spyware programme code to find malware. . DAT files are also known as detection definition files and signature.

Port

Internet; Internet security

A hardware location for passing data in and out of a computing device. Personal computers have various types of ports, including internal ports for connecting disc drives, monitors, and keyboards, ...

Firewall

Internet; Internet security

A set of programmes installed on a gateway server. The programmes are designed to protect the network's resources from users on other networks. A firewall philtres and routes incoming traffic and ...