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Chapter 2- Security
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Adware | A software program that delivers advertising content in a manner that is unexpected and unwanted by the user. |
| Armored virus | A virus that goes to great lengths in order to avoid detection. |
| Backdoor | Software code that gives access to a program or a service that circumvents normal security protections. |
| Bot herder | An attacker who controls a bot |
| Botnet | A logical computer network of zombies under the control of an attacker |
| Command and control | The structure by which a bot herder gives instructions to zombies in a botnet |
| Computer virus | Malicious computer code that, like its biological counterpart, reproduces itself on the same computer |
| Dumpster diving | The act of digging through trash receptacles to find information that can be useful in an attack. |
| Hoax | A false warning designed to trick users into changing security settings on their computer |
| Impersonation | A social engineering attack that involves masquerading as a real or fictitious character and then playing out the role of that person on a victim. |
| Keylogger | Software or a hardware device that captures and stores each keystroke that a user types on the computer's keyboard. |
| Logic bomb | Computer code that lies dormant until it is triggered by a specific logical event |
| Macro | A series of instructions that can be grouped together as a single command, often used to automate a complex set of tasks or a repeated series of tasks. |
| Macro virus | A computer virus that is written in a script known as a macro. |
| Malware | Software that enters a computer system without the user's knowledge or consent and then performs an unwanted and usually harmful action. |
| Metamorphic malware | Malware that rewrites its own code and thus appears different each time it is executed. |
| Oligomorphic malware | Malware that changes its internal code to one of a set number of predefined mutations whenever it is executed. |
| Pharming | A phishing attack that automatically redirects the user to a fake site. |
| Polymorphic malware | Malware code that completely changes from its original form whenever it is executed. |
| Program virus | A computer virus that infects executable program files. |
| Ransomware | Malware that prevents a user's device from properly operating until a fee is paid. |
| Rootkit | A set of software tools used by an attacker to hide the actions or presence of other types of malicious software |
| Shoulder surfing | Watching an authorized user enter a security code on a keypad |
| Social engineering | A means of gathering information for an attack by relying on the weakness of individuals |
| Spam | Unsolicited email |
| Spear phishing | A phishing attack that targets only specific users |
| Spim | A variation of spam, which targets instant messaging users instead of email users |
| Spyware | A general term used to describe software that spies on users by gathering information without consent. |
| Tailgating | When an unauthorized individual enters a restricted-access building by following an authorized user |
| Trojan Horse | An executable program that is advertised as performing one activity but which actually performs a malicious activity |
| Typo squatting | Redirecting a user to fictitious website based on a misspelling of the URL. Also called URL hijacking |
| URL hijacking | Redirecting a user to fictitious website based on a misspelling of the URL. Also called typo squatting. |
| Vishing | A phishing attack uses telephone calls instead of emails. |
| Watering hole attack | A malicious attack that is directed toward a small group of specific individuals who visit the same website |
| Whaling | A phishing attack that targets only wealthy individuals |
| Worm | A malicious program designed to enter a computer via a network to take advantage of a vulnerability in an application or an operating system |
| Zombie | An infected computer that is under the remote control of an attacker. |