Binary Code
Computers and other electronic devices store information as Binary Code (which is a series of 1s and 0s that might look like this: 10101001 01101100 11001010).
Network Topology Map
A Network Topology Map is a diagram of a computer network's components, including network access points and connections between its various parts.
Fake Anti-Virus Software
Fake Anti-Virus Software - also known as 'scareware' - is designed to trick you into buying worthless anti-virus protection that you do not need.
Domain Name System
The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the ‘telephone book’ of the Web – it translates a website's name into its corresponding numerical IP address on the Internet.
Social Engineering
A Phishing e-mail is an attempt to trick the recipient into giving up information, such as account, credit card or password information.
Data Encryption
Data Encryption is the intentional scrambling of information into unreadable form - until it is later converted back into its original form by the intended recipient.
Botnet, or Compromised Computers
A Botnet is a collection of computers compromised by a malware attack that can be controlled remotely (via the Internet) to attack websites, send out spam emails, etc.
Distributed Denial of Service Attack
A Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attack can use a botnet to force a website, network or other resource to shut down by overloading it with requests for data.
USB Flash Drive
A USB Flash Drive, aka a 'stick drive' or 'thumb drive' is a portable data storage device which connects to a computer's USB port to send and receive data.
Electronic vs. Static Media
Static Media is something like a book, magazine or printed photo, while Electronic or Digital Media (websites, digital photos, etc.) requires power to be viewed.
Administrative Access
A user with Administrative Rights has unrestricted power to create, modify or delete files, folders, settings and programs on a particular computer.
Computer Security Tip of the Week
Scott Aurnou – If hackers ever get your password, two factor authentication can literally be the only thing standing between them and your personal or business data… or even your bank account. Learn more about it here.
If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).
By Scott Aurnou
We hear the term all the time, but what does ‘the cloud’ actually refer to? Literally speaking, ‘the cloud’ is just a marketing term. It refers to some sort of computer-related function (like data storage or a web-based program) that’s just located someplace else and accessed through the Internet. The concept is relatively straightforward, but calling it ‘the cloud’ makes it sounds more ethereal and alluring.
Plenty of familiar programs, including Facebook, Twitter (as well as any other social network), Gmail, Outlook and Dropbox, are accessed through the Internet (aka the cloud). A program that runs on the Internet (rather than directly on your computer), is referred to as a ‘Web app,’ which is short for ‘Web-based application.’ ‘Application’ is just another way of saying program, so it’s a program hosted someplace else that you access via the Internet.
Cloud storage allows you to back up your data off site (always a good idea in case anything happens to your own computer or network) or simply store it somewhere else. In effect, instead of putting papers in your own filing cabinets, you’re essentially storing them at an off-site warehouse (except you can access them a lot quicker).
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Computer Security Tip of the Week
Scott Aurnou – Getting hit with ransomware can be a very unwelcome surprise. This type of attack will disable all or part of your computer’s functionality and/or encrypt your own data so you can’t read it and then ask for payment to release it. This week’s security tip discusses how you can safeguard your computer against it and what to do if it happens to you.
Helpful websites referenced in this video include:
Computer Security Tip of the Week – Update Your Software
Secunia: http://secunia.com/
AppFresh for Mac: http://metaquark.de/appfresh/mac
If you enjoyed this video, you can see more on TheSecurityAdvocate YouTube channel (and subscribe if you like).
By Scott Aurnou
‘Phishing’ attacks are designed to steal your personal, financial and/or log in information. This can be done in a few ways, including via email or text message (referred to as ‘smishing’). They often contain links to websites that look legitimate but are really there to steal your account log in information or host malware ready to attack your computer. These emails and messages can also be used to lure you into contact with scam artists posing as potential clients or officials offering to release substantial funds to you if only you would be so kind as to give them detailed personal information or a sum up front. Phishing attacks are generally designed to make you take action by either frightening or tempting you. Some of them are actually very well crafted. Some not so much. And some border on the ridiculous. Each month at The Security Advocate, we will present a number of examples, along with explanations of what to look out for to avoid falling victim to one of the scams.
This is a somewhat obvious smishing text message, complete with spelling errors, the temptation of ‘Quick Emergency Money’ and a link to a fake ‘survey’ website that can only lead to trouble. While this sort of message will often reference some sort of payment or prize for participation, those promises are empty ones. A text like this is only designed to trick you out of your information… and then your money. You should ignore anything like it, as well just about any text message from someone you don’t know.
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