50 antivirus and PC security terms everyone should know
Internet security is a complex topic even for experts in the field, and for average people the terminology can be downright confusing. While you may not need to know every technical term out there, having a working vocabulary of basic terms can help you stay informed enough to protect yourself against major threats.
If you know what a phishing email is, for example, you can be on the lookout and avoid this common danger. This lexicon of the most important security terms will help you make sense of security alerts and help equip you to take appropriate steps to protect your home network and computers.
Further reading: PCWorld picks the best antivirus software of 2024
Key security terms
Computer systems and networks employ a variety of techniques to protect you and your data from unauthorized access. Here are the most common terms that describe ways of protecting your data.
2FA: Short for “Two-Factor Authentication,” it’s a method to secure online accounts by adding an additional “factor” beyond a password. It could be a text-message confirmation or a code generated by a trusted app for this purpose. If 2FA is available for your accounts, start using this feature.
Authentication: Confirms authorized access to a platform or account, typically by password, biometrics, or code confirmation.
Biometrics: The use of physical characteristics such as facial geometry or fingerprints as a means of secure authentication. Fingerprint sensors on laptops and Windows Hello cameras are common biometric security features that make logging in easier and more secure than a password.
Certificate Authentication: Using a record digitally signed by a trusted authority to validate the authenticity of a website, file, or system.
Encryption: A method to obscure or hide sensitive information by scrambling it in a predetermined way. Encrypting hard drives and other storage devices can help protect your data if your device falls into the wrong hands, while encryption on network connections protects against data from being intercepted by a third party as it travels over the network.
Risk and exploit terms
These important terms describe common…
