MySecureCyberspace: Threats

Account Hijacking – Using someone else's personal information to access current financial accounts or create new ones
Adware – Software that displays advertising banners or pop-up windows
Backdoor – A method of accessing a computer system undetected for either illegitimate or legitimate access
Black Hat – A person who compromises a computer system's security without authorization, typically maliciously
Bluebugging – Use of Bluetooth to illegitimately access sensitive information on mobile devices
Bluejacking – Using Bluetooth to send unsolicited messages to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices
Bluejacking – Using Bluetooth to send unsolicited messages to nearby Bluetooth-enabled devices
Bluesnarfing – Stealing information from mobile devices using a wireless connection
Brute Force Attack – Figuring out a password by trying every possible combination of letters, numbers, and symbols
Buffer Overflow – A type of vulnerability in software that allows attackers to go inside the system and damage it
Chanslash – Fan fiction that involves underage characters in romantic pairings
Click Fraud – The imitation of clicking on web advertisements to increase ad revenue for the Web site owner
Cookie – Information, usually in a file, about someone’s Internet activities, such as the date of the last visit to a Web site, preferences, etc.
Cracking – Trying to get into computer systems in order to steal, corrupt, or illegitimately view data
Crimeware – A special type of malware used to commit financial crimes
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) – A vulnerability of dynamic Web content where a malicious user may embed code into a Web site that may cross over to a victim's computer
Cyber Espionage – The use of software tools to obtain secret or private government or business information
Cyberbullying – Using the Internet to harass, intimidate, embarrass, or demean others
Cyberpiracy – Using the Internet to copy a digital document without authorization
Cyberstalking – Using the Internet to threaten or make unwanted advances towards someone else
Cyberterrorism – Threat, harm or extortion via the Internet
Cyberwoozling – The unauthorized gathering of data from visitors of a Web site
Data Theft – The unauthorized taking or interception of computer-based information
Digital Wallet – The electronic equivalent of a wallet for e-commerce transactions
Directory Traversal Attack – Attacks that access restricted files by combing through a computer's directories
Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) – Interfering with a computer system by sending more Internet traffic to it than it can handle
Eavesdropping – Method of secretly listening in on a conversation
Exploit – A piece of software that targets vulnerabilities in installed software in order to take over a computer
Fake Anti-spyware – Harmful programs disguised as anti-spyware
Flaming – Posting messages that are deliberately hostile and insulting
Griefer – Individuals who play multiplayer online games with the intent to harass other players
Hacking – Trying to get into computer systems in order to steal, corrupt, or illegitimately view data
Hoax – Phony email warning about a computer virus or other threat
IJacking – Theft of a laptop by snatching it from an owner's hands
IP Spoofing – Using fake computer identification to communicate with another machine, usually for malicious purposes
Identity Theft – When someone uses your personal information to commit fraud
Intrusion – Getting into someone's computer without their permission
Keylogger – A device or software that records keystrokes entered by a user, usually to secretly monitor and/or maliciously use this information
Laptop Theft – Stealing of laptop computers, typically from public places where they are left behind or unattended
Lurking – Hanging out on Internet bulletin boards or chat rooms without posting
Malware – Programs that are designed to harm your computer
Man in the Middle Attack – Intercepting communications between two parties without either party knowing about it
Misinformation – Incorrect or misleading information on Web sites
Online Gambling – The placing of bets using the Internet
Online Grooming – Working to gain the trust of children and young people, often with the goal of a sexual relationship, though the use of cyber technology like the Internet or mobile phone
Packet Sniffer – A program that reads or snoops on network traffic
Password Cracking – Trying to figure out someone else's computer password to get past a security system
Pharming – Redirecting users from legitimate Web sites they are trying to visit to fraudulent Web sites
Phishing – Using fake Web sites to trick you into giving away personal information
Pin Cracking – A procedure for breaking into Bluetooth devices by determining the personal identification number (PIN) used for secure transmissions
Plagiarism – Using content that has been created by others without giving them due credit
Port Scanning – Trying to find open ports on a computer in order to gain access to it
SMS Spam – Junk mail sent to mobile phones
Sexting – A slang term for the sending of sexually explicit or suggestive content between mobile devices
Smurfing – In gaming, targeting players below your skill level; Also, a type of Denial of Service attack
Social Engineering – Using manipulation and deceit to trick victims into giving out confidential information
Spam – Unwanted email used mainly for advertising
Spoofing Card – A communication service that allows you to choose what phone number displays on caller ID when someone receives a call from you
Spyware – Software that sends information from your computer to a third party without your consent
Trojan Horse – A malicious program disguised as legitimate software
Trolling – A person who posts rude or offensive messages on the Internet with the intent to disrupt a discussion or upset its participants
Virus – A self-replicating program that spreads by inserting copies of itself into other code or documents
Vishing – Using fake phone numbers to trick you into giving away personal information
War Driving – Driving around with a computer to find and access wireless networks
Worm – A self-replicating, self-spreading malicious program
Zero Day Attack – An attack against a computer application even before a vulnerability or fix for it has been announced
Zombie Machine – A computer that an attacker has taken control of using malware