Computer Science Cyber Security

Cyber Security

The processes, practices and technologies designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage or unauthorised access

Social Engineering

The art of manipulating people so they give up confidential information

Blagging

The art of creating and using an invented scenario to engage a targeted victim in a manner that increases the chance the victim will divulge information or perform actions that they wouldn't normally do

Phishing

A technique of fraudulently obtaining private information often using email or SMS ('smishing')

Pharming

A cyber attack intended to redirect website traffic to another fake site

Shouldering

Observing a person's private information over their shoulder, e.g. at a cashpoint

Malicious Code (Malware)

Any hostile or intrusive software designed to cause damage to a computer or its data

Virus

A form of malware that can self-replicate and spread between connected devices

Trojan

A form of malware that is hidden within other, often legitimate, software

Spyware

A form of malware that records a user's keystrokes and actions on their computer for further fraudulent use

Adware

A form of malware that displays popup adverts on the user’s screen

Access Rights

The data and parts of a network that a user's account has privileges to use

Removable Media

Storage devices inserted or attached to computer systems (e.g. USB memory stick, CD/DVD, external HDD)

Software Patch

An update to a software program released by the program developers, often to fix security problems

Penetration ('Pen') Testing

Attempting to gain access to resources on a network or computer system without knowledge of usernames, passwords or other means of access

White Box 'Pen' Testing

Penetration testing simulating a malicious insider with some knowledge of the targeted system and its security measures

Black Box 'Pen' Testing

Penetration testing simulating an external hacking or cyber attack with no knowledge of the targeted system and its security measures

Biometrics

Methods using human characteristics (e.g. fingerprint, voice, retina) to restrict access to a computer system

CAPTCHA

Methods that determine if the access request is from a real human and not a computer 'robot'

Email Confirmation

Used to confirm that a sign up request has come from a genuine email account owned by that user