Trend Micro TrendSetter June 2008

When you hear people talking about Internet security on the news or around the office, do you find yourself nodding along as people throw out words you've never heard of? Do you ever ask yourself, "What is a botnet, anyway?" Here's a quick-and-dirty, plain-English rundown on some key cyber security terms and concepts.

Antivirus: Software that detects malicious programs hidden on your computer and prevents more such programs from installing themselves, often by running scans on your hard drive and reviewing emails for possible threats.
Botnet: A collection of computers that have all been set up to do the same thing—usually something bad, like forwarding spam or infecting other computers with viruses. It's called a "botnet" because it is, basically, a network of hijacked "robots."
Encryption: Encryption protects your data while it's in transit by turning it into a code that's unreadable unless you have a key. It's then deciphered on the other side.
Firewall: A firewall stands between your computer or your private network and the rest of the world. It's an essential line of defense that monitors what comes into your system.
Hotspot: A physical location where you can access the Internet wirelessly through a portable computer. You can find hotspots at many coffee shops, hotels, airports, and libraries.
Social Networking: Web sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn all enable social networking—they give users a way to find people with similar interests. But because they're based on the sharing of personal information, they should be approached with some caution.
Spyware: Another malicious form of software that downloads itself to your computer and literally spies on your activities, sending back information to its host.
Virus: Just like biological viruses that invade the human body, replicate themselves, and spread, computer viruses do the same thing. They're malicious programs that are often spread through email, downloaded files, or CDs.


Trend Micro Consumer Newsletter \| Security Tips, Tricks, and Updates		July 2008
	Cyber Security 101 When you hear people talking about Internet security on the news or around the office, do you find yourself nodding along as people throw out words you've never heard of? Do you ever ask yourself, "What is a botnet, anyway?" Here's a quick-and-dirty, plain-English rundown on some key cyber security terms and concepts. Antivirus: Software that detects malicious programs hidden on your computer and prevents more such programs from installing themselves, often by running scans on your hard drive and reviewing emails for possible threats. Botnet: A collection of computers that have all been set up to do the same thing—usually something bad, like forwarding spam or infecting other computers with viruses. It's called a "botnet" because it is, basically, a network of hijacked "robots." Encryption: Encryption protects your data while it's in transit by turning it into a code that's unreadable unless you have a key. It's then deciphered on the other side. Firewall: A firewall stands between your computer or your private network and the rest of the world. It's an essential line of defense that monitors what comes into your system. Hotspot: A physical location where you can access the Internet wirelessly through a portable computer. You can find hotspots at many coffee shops, hotels, airports, and libraries. Social Networking: Web sites such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn all enable social networking—they give users a way to find people with similar interests. But because they're based on the sharing of personal information, they should be approached with some caution. Spyware: Another malicious form of software that downloads itself to your computer and literally spies on your activities, sending back information to its host. Virus: Just like biological viruses that invade the human body, replicate themselves, and spread, computer viruses do the same thing. They're malicious programs that are often spread through email, downloaded files, or CDs. < Back to main page
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