Civil Air Patrol Module 7 - Cyber Security

Cyber

The digital environment where networks communicate

"Space" in the term "Cyberspace"

An abstract virtual environment

Cyberspace

The environment where many networks communicate

Packet Switching

Breaks down large amounts of data into smaller pieces to prevent the overloading of a network

Clients

Network devices that request access to a service in order to accomplish a task

Server

A device that manages access to the resources clients need to complete their tasks

Cybersecurity

Protects users from threats on the internet, where their confidential information is vulnerable to cyberattack

Cybercriminals

Individuals or groups of people who commit cybercrime on the internet, where a computer can be a target or a weapon

Hacking

Cybercriminals gain illegal access to a vulnerable computer or network system they've targeted and commit fraud, destroy property, or commit other crimes

Cyberethics

Acting responsibly online

Cyberattacks

System breaches that occur when hackers find and exploit system vulnerabilities

Malware

Harmful computer programming that disrupts, damages, or gains unauthorized access to networks and computer systems

Computer Virus

Disguising itself as an innocent program or file, this replicates itself, inserts itself into other software, and performs other malicious actions up to and including halting the operation of the computer

Computer Worms

Self-replicating software applications that search for other vulnerable devices to infect. These spread and cause destruction across entire networks

Spyware

Allows hackers to obtain sensitive information from a victim's system

Ransomware

Blocks or locks a computer and effectively holds a victim's system, files, and data hostage until the victim pays a sum of money to the cybercriminal to unlock it.

Trojan

A type of malware that looks legitimate but contains malicious software.

Adware

Advertisement software that presents a pop-up ad, video, or banner. If the user clicks on the ad, the software searches for and collects a user's information in the background to sell.

Phishing

An email that looked like it came from a reputable company, but is fake and meant to steal your personal information.

Social Engineering

An attacker gains the trust of a victim to gather information about them, such as where they live, go to school, and more.

Denial of Service

An attacker makes a machine or network resource unavailable by flooding the targeted machine and overloads them with information causing them to fail or function improperly.

Sniffing

Finding sensitive packets of information and use it for illegal means.

Black Hat Hackers

Use malware to steal information or perform other criminal acts. Cybercriminals.

White Hat Hackers

Check for vulnerabilities in systems and resolve security problems before the systems are exploited. Not cybercriminals.

Gray Hat Hackers

Hack into networks and systems but don't perform malicious acts. Illegal because they do this without permission from the system owner.

Eavesdropping

Monitoring an unsecured phone call, instant message, email, and more to find sensitive information

Keylogger

Software, secretly placed on a machine, that captures every keystroke made on the computer

Vulnerability Scanner

Programs that search for vulnerabilities in systems

Session Hijacking

Attackers impersonate a legitimate individual in a communication session, such as email or instant message, and then maliciously take over or hijack the session

Brute Force Attack

Submitting several passwords with the hope of eventually guessing correctly

Privacy

Your right to be free from being observed by other people.

Computer Cookies

Created by your internet browser to store small text files that track your activity

First-Party Cookies

Created to provide a good experience for you, but they share this information with other companies that want to advertise to you and others.

Third-Party Cookies

When you search for your video game, and this cookie from an advertiser stores information about your search. The next day, you visit a new website and see an advertisement about video games.

Session Cookies

Websites temporarily store information in a single session visit

Persistent Cookies

These cookies exist for more than one session and provide your preferences for future visits.

Digital Footprint

A collection of online activity that includes social media posts, online purchases, website visits, and communications with others

Active Footprint

Anything you post that is tied to your username.

Passive Footprint

Internet activity that you unintentionally and unknowingly leave behind.

Online Reputation

Every internet search, website visit, image post, and comment you make online

Cyberbullying

A form of online harassment using electronic communication to spread rumors, make threats, and carry out other harmful behavior

Cyberstalking

A form of cyberbullying using electronic communication to harass another user, which may endanger the target's safety.

Trolling

A form of cyberbullying - causing mischief on various digital platforms and social media, hoping to provoke their victims.