Cybersecurity Threats and Microsoft Excel Fundamentals

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering fundamental concepts in cybersecurity, threat actors, malware classifications, defense mechanisms, and core Microsoft Excel operations and error values.

Cybersecurity

The practice of protecting systems, networks, software, and data from attack, damage, or theft.

Cyberspace

The virtual environment of interconnected systems, networks, and the Internet.

Cyber threat

Any activity or event that may compromise confidentiality, integrity, or availability.

Cybercrime

Illegal activities committed through computers, digital devices, or the Internet.

Information security

The protection of information from unauthorized access, disclosure, change, or destruction.

Confidentiality

A core tenet of the CIA Triad ensuring that information is accessible only to authorized individuals using tools such as passwords, encryption, and access controls.

Integrity

A core tenet of the CIA Triad ensuring that information stays accurate, complete, and unaltered unless authorized, maintained via audit logs, version control, and monitoring.

Availability

A core tenet of the CIA Triad ensuring that authorized users can reach systems and data whenever needed through backups, redundancy, and disaster recovery.

Malware

Short for malicious software; programs intentionally designed to damage systems, disrupt operations, steal information, or gain unauthorized access.

Malicious intent

A defining characteristic of malware being purposefully engineered to harm systems, disrupt operations, or steal sensitive data.

Unauthorized installation

A defining characteristic of malware where it secretly deploys onto a device without the consent or knowledge of the user.

Self-replication

A defining characteristic of malware that allows it to automatically copy itself across files, applications, and network devices.

Stealth operation

A defining characteristic of malware that conceals its presence, processes, and actions from users and security tools.

Persistence

A defining characteristic of malware that allows it to stay active, retain access, and continue running even after a system restart.

Virus

A type of malware that attaches to legitimate files and spreads across systems when the infected file is executed.

Worm

A type of self-replicating malware that spreads across networks autonomously without requiring user interaction.

Trojan Horse

Malware that disguises itself as legitimate software to deceive users into installing it.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts files or locks systems until a ransom is paid to the attacker.

Spyware

Malware that secretly monitors user activity and collects personal or confidential data without authorization.

Adware

Software that displays unwanted advertisements; malicious versions can redirect web browsers or install additional malware.

Rootkit

Malicious software that conceals programs and grants attackers privileged, hard-to-detect administrative access to a system.

Keylogger

A surveillance program or hardware tool that secretly records every keystroke to harvest passwords, credit card numbers, and credentials.

Botnet

A network of compromised computers controlled remotely by cybercriminals to execute DDoS attacks, send spam, or perform illegal cryptocurrency mining.

Fileless malware

Malware that operates entirely in memory (RAM), leaving minimal traces on storage drives and evading conventional antivirus detection.

White Hat

An authorized security professional who legally tests systems through penetration testing and security assessments to find and fix vulnerabilities.

Black Hat

A hacker who illegally gains unauthorized access to systems for malicious or criminal purposes, such as data theft, ransomware, or malware distribution.

Gray Hat

A hacker who accesses systems without permission but generally lacks malicious intent, although the action still violates legal and ethical boundaries.

Script kiddie

An individual with limited technical skills who uses prewritten hacking tools and scripts created by others to launch attacks.

Phishing

A broad attack where fraudulent emails, messages, or websites trick victims into revealing sensitive personal or corporate data.

Spear Phishing

A targeted form of phishing directed at a specific person or group that leverages personalized information to deceive victims.

Whaling

A specialized phishing attack targeting high-level corporate executives to steal confidential data or authorize fraudulent wire transfers.

Social engineering

The psychological manipulation of individuals into disclosing confidential information or granting unauthorized access.

DoS attack

Denial of Service; an attack that floods a target system with requests to exhaust resources and block legitimate users.

DDoS attack

Distributed Denial of Service; an attack where numerous compromised devices flood a single target simultaneously to overwhelm it.

Brute force

A password-cracking method that systematically attempts every possible alphanumeric combination until the correct credentials are found.

Man-in-the-Middle

An attack where an adversary secretly intercepts, eavesdrops on, and potentially alters communication between two distinct parties.

Zero Trust

A security model operating on the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' requiring continuous authentication for all users and devices.

Spreadsheet

An electronic software application used to organize, calculate, analyze, and present data arranged in rows and columns.

VisiCalc (1979)

The first electronic spreadsheet application, whose automatic recalculation capabilities drove corporate adoption of personal computers.

Lotus 1-2-3 (1980s)

A pioneering spreadsheet program that introduced integrated charting, database capabilities, and improved calculation features.

Workbook

A spreadsheet file that contains one or more individual worksheets.

Worksheet

An individual grid page inside a workbook where data is entered, manipulated, and analyzed.

Formula Bar

The toolbar area in a spreadsheet where cell values, text entries, and mathematical formulas are entered and edited.

Active cell

The currently selected cell within a worksheet, visually emphasized with a bold border.

Name Box

A display box positioned next to the formula bar that indicates the address or user-defined name of the active cell.

Formula

A user-created mathematical expression in a spreadsheet that begins with an equal sign ($=$) to calculate values.

Function

A built-in, predefined calculation in spreadsheet software (such as $=SUM()$ or $=AVERAGE()$) that computes results using arguments.

Relative cell reference

The default reference type (such as $A2$) that automatically shifts relative coordinates when copied across rows or columns.

Absolute cell reference

A fixed cell reference indicated by dollar signs (such as F$1) that does not change when the formula is copied to another cell.

Mixed cell reference

A reference that locks either the row coordinate or the column coordinate while allowing the other to adjust (e.g., $A1$ or A$1).

AutoSum

A feature that automatically writes and applies the $SUM$ function to a selected series of contiguous numeric cells.

AutoFill

A spreadsheet tool that extends formulas, series, or repeating patterns into neighboring cells when dragging the fill handle.

DIV/0!

A spreadsheet error indicating that a formula is attempting an impossible mathematical operation: dividing a number by zero or an empty cell.

NAME?

A spreadsheet error indicating that text within the formula is unrecognized, often caused by a misspelled function name or undefined text string.

VALUE!

A spreadsheet error indicating that a formula received an incorrect data type, such as attempting math operations on text.

REF!

A spreadsheet error indicating an invalid cell reference, typically occurring when referenced cells, rows, or columns have been deleted.

Data validation

A spreadsheet control mechanism that defines and enforces specific rules on what data types or values can be entered into a cell.

Conditional Formatting

A tool that dynamically alters cell appearance (such as fill color or font) when specified values or conditions are met.

Freeze Panes

A display feature that keeps designated rows or columns visible at the top or side of a worksheet while scrolling.

Named range

A custom, user-defined name assigned to a cell or range of cells (such as replacing $B2:B13$ with 'Sales') to simplify formula structure.

Malicious email attachments

Files disguised as invoices, resumes, or notices that infect a host system when opened.

Untrusted software downloads

Executable programs acquired from unverified websites that secretly bundle hidden malware.

Infected websites

Compromised online pages that spread malicious code through drive-by installations and deceptive web advertisements.

Infected USB flash drives

Portable external storage devices that carry and execute malicious scripts between disconnected machines.

Network vulnerabilities

Security flaws in communication protocols or operating systems that allow malicious code to hop autonomously between connected devices.

Bot

An infected host program that enables an attacker to remotely execute unauthorized commands and control over a compromised device.

Slow performance (malware symptom)

An unexplained decrease in operating speed caused by covert background processes consuming processor and memory resources.

Frequent crashes (malware symptom)

An issue where active software or the operating system abruptly freezes and terminates due to corrupted dependencies or rogue code.

Unusual pop-ups (malware symptom)

The persistent appearance of unsolicited promotional alerts and dialog windows occurring even without an active web browser.

Unauthorized file changes (malware symptom)

A security warning sign where user documents mysteriously vanish, suffer corruption, or become encrypted without permission.

Unknown programs (malware symptom)

The spontaneous appearance of unrecognized background services or executable applications that the user never installed.

Browser redirection (malware symptom)

An issue where an internet application hijacks entered web addresses and sends users to unfamiliar, promotional, or malicious websites.

Disabled security software (malware symptom)

A condition where firewalls or protective scanning utilities are unexpectedly turned off and prevented from receiving definition updates.

High network activity (malware symptom)

Significant outbound and inbound data transmission taking place while a device is sitting completely idle.

Cybercriminal

An individual who deploys digital tools, computers, and internet connectivity to commit illegal acts for illicit profit.

Cyber thief

A specialized digital intruder whose primary objective is illegally acquiring and exfiltrating confidential data.

Cyber spy

An operative who covertly infiltrates foreign or corporate networks to gather classified intelligence without authorization.

Troll

An online individual who intentionally posts offensive, misleading, or inflammatory content to provoke emotional reactions and disrupt discussions.

Insider threat

A current or former employee, contractor, or business associate who compromises organizational security knowingly or accidentally.

Ethical hacker

An authorized professional who legally probes systems for security weaknesses and reports vulnerabilities to help organizations reinforce defenses.

Financial gain (cyberattack motive)

A primary malicious objective where perpetrators seek illicit monetary profit through theft, extortion, or fraudulent transactions.

Espionage (cyberattack motive)

A strategic motivation centered on secretly gathering political, military, or proprietary commercial secrets to gain an operational advantage.

Political or ideological motivation

A cyberattack objective intended to sway public opinion, advance socio-political agendas, or disrupt government services.

Personal revenge (cyberattack motive)

A retaliatory drive where a disgruntled person attacks an organization or individual due to a perceived grievance.

Curiosity or challenge (cyberattack motive)

An attack incentive where an individual probes defenses simply to test personal technical abilities and explore restricted digital environments.

Recognition (cyberattack motive)

A motive where a threat actor breaches high-profile systems to earn bragging rights, status, and prestige within underground communities.

Password attack

An attempt to gain unauthorized system access by intercepting, guessing, or cracking user authentication credentials.

Identity theft

The crime of acquiring and using another individual's personal information without permission to commit fraud or financial deception.

Antivirus software

A specialized defensive program that scans files to identify, quarantine, and eliminate known malicious threats.

Firewall

A protective boundary that inspects and filters inbound and outbound network traffic based on established security rules.

Software updates

Vendor-released code modifications designed to patch known security vulnerabilities and address performance bugs in programs.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA)

A security process requiring individuals to present two or more independent credentials before accessing an account or system.

Strong password

A long, unique credential composed of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols that resists automated cracking.

Password manager

An encrypted application designed to securely generate, store, and automatically enter unique credentials across various services.

Data backup

The practice of maintaining duplicate copies of essential files and databases to restore operations following hardware failure or an attack.

Encryption

The cryptographic process of converting readable information into ciphertext so that only parties possessing the authorized key can interpret it.

Ctrl + Z

The Excel shortcut used to undo the most recent action.

Ctrl + Y

The Excel shortcut used to redo the last undone action.

Ctrl + S

The Excel shortcut used to save the active workbook.

Ctrl + N

The Excel shortcut used to create a new, blank workbook.