A+ Acronyms Simple Definitions

Simple Definitions of Pertinent A+ Acronyms

DHCP

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, Assigns IP addresses automatically

DNS

Domain Name System, Translates website names to IP addresses

IP

Internet Protocol, Core system for addressing devices on a network

TCP/IP

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol, Backbone protocols of the internet

MAC

Media Access Control, Hardware address unique to each network device

SSID

Service Set Identifier, Name of your wireless network

LAN/WAN

Local/Wide Area Network, Describes network size and grography

NAT

Network Address Translation, Masks internal IPs for outbound internet traffic

VPN

Virtual Private Network, Secures connections over public networks using secure tunnel

WAP

Wireless Access Point, Device allowing wireless connections to wired networks

HTTP/HTTPS

Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure, Foundations of web browsing and secure transmission

BIOS

Basic Input/Output System, The system’s startup firmwareMC

CMOS

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor, Stores BIOS settings

POST

Power-On Self Test, Check vital system component at bootup

USB

Universal Serial Bus, Common interface for connecting peripherals

HDMI

High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Digital video/audio connector for displays

VGA

Video Graphics Array, Older analog video connector for monitors

SATA

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, Interface for connecting drives

SSD/HHD

Solid State Drive/Hard Disk Drive, Main types of computer storage

RAM

Random Access Memory, Temporary storage for running programs

PSU

Power Supply Unit, Distributes power to internal components

RJ-45/RJ-11

Network and phone connectors, always seen in cabling tasks

GUI

Graphical User Interface, The visual way you interact with an OS

CLI

Command Line Interface, Text-based OS interaction

NTFS

New Technology File System, Modern Windows filing system

FAT32

32-bit File Allocation Table, Used by older file systems for drives and removable media, supports up to 4GB

UAC

User Account Control, Windows feature that manages permission prompts

BSOD

Blue Screen of Death, Windows error screen after critical failure

CMD

Command Prompt, Tool for executing text commands

WSUS

Windows Server Update Services, Tool for managing software updates in business

APFS/HFS

Apple File Systems, Default for modern and older macOS devices

EXT3/EXT4

File systems often used by Linux systems

AV

Antivirus, Scans and guards against malicious software

MFA

Multi-Factor Authentication, Verifies use identity with more than one method

ACL

Access Control List, Defines who can access what data or resource

EFS

Encrypting File System, Protects files using encryption on Windows

UEFI

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, Secure system firmware

GDPR

General Data Protection Regulation, Data privacy law in the EU

PHI

Protected Health Information, Patient data protected by law

MBSA

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, Scans Windows systems for security gaps

MFD

Multi-Function Device, Office equipment that combines scanning/printing/copying, is often cited in security policy discussions

AAA

Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting, A framework for managing user access and tracking user activity

AES

Advanced Encryption Standard

A symmetric algorithm widely used across the globe to secure data

BYOD

Bring Your Own Device, A policy allowing employees to use their personal devices for work purposesD

DDoS

Distributed Denial of Service, A type of cyber attack where multiple systems are used to flood a target with traffic, causing service disruption.

DMARC

Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance, An email authentication protocol that helps prevent email spoofing

exFAT

Extended File Allocation Table, Used for drives and removable media, supports larger files and is more efficient than FAT32