GCF Learning & Computer Security and Internet Safety

a technique used to redirect a legitimate websites traffic to another illegitimate website in order to gain access to a user's personal information

a self-replicating program that is designed to infect a computer by rapidly spreading from one file to another, sometimes causing great harm

mail or instant message scams that are disguised to look like official communications from a legitimate website

a type of malware that appears to be benign or desirable and thus tricks the user into allowing the program access to their computer, usually through a download or email attachment

intentionally malicious software or code that is designed to damage your computer or collect information without your knowledge

a type of malware that collects information about users without their knowledge, often to track browsing habits and to create pop-up advertisements

unsolicited email or junk mail

occurs when malware or spyware replaces your browser's home page with its own in order to force more hits to a particular website

a technique that tricks users into clicking on a malicious link by adding the link to a transparent layer over what appears to be a legitimate web page

an email chain letter that warns of impending viruses and ties to scare users into forwarding and continuing the hoax email

keeps visitors from leaving a website by locking them into a window, opening multiple windows on the desktop, or relaunching their website in a window that can't be closed

a fake identity that someone creates and uses to deceive others for some kind of personal gain

a virtual representation of yourself

someone losing their job because of something they posted on a blog or social networking site

a person who posts comments just to get a rise out of people and cause a distraction

a heated argument in a social media outlet such as a web forum, mailing list or chat room, in which intentionally insulting comments and personal attacks become a focus of conversation

(username) a virtual name that is used to identify users of a website where social media is a component (real name or pseudonym)

a comment posted by someone trying to provoke a flame: an angry response

something that has gone viral, or spread rapidly around the internet, such as a catchphrase, hoax, topic, concept or piece of media

content that people publish on websites involving social media, such as blogs, newsgroups, and forums

live, online conversations

keeping your personal files and data secret and secure from unauthorized viewing or tampering

the measures you can take to avoid threats and damage to your computer from physical harm or tampering

a person who intentionally gains access to your computer when you connect it to the Internet with the intent of doing harm to the system or using the system in an unauthorized manner

theft of a computer design or program by downloading or copying without permission

specifically protects against viruses

protects against malicious software that may be gathering your information without your knowledge

screens out threats that try to reach your computer over the Internet