The digital world is so expansive and interconnected. Its importance to our personal and professional lives is now a decades-old conversation. It’s especially vital to the business world – which is now getting to be an even older conversation – so everything that goes along with it must be considered carefully.
Especially cybersecurity. Let’s arm you with knowledge. Here’s a deep dive into common cybersecurity terms business owners need to know.
Business Owners: Stay Ahead of the Game By Knowing These Cybersecurity Terms
Millions of people are falling victim to cyberattacks each year. The result could be detrimental, especially to small to medium-sized businesses that often can’t rebound from massive financial losses and data breaches caused by cybercriminals. Organizational leaders must prioritize a system that suits your distinct cybersecurity needs (because one size doesn’t fit all).
But before we get to the system solutions, you must first strive to understand the digital threats you’re up against daily. So we’ve compiled a list of 20 common cybersecurity terms that will better equip your business to function effectively within this incredibly complex – and vulnerable – technological society.
(Related reading: 10 Cybersecurity Myths Business Owners Can’t Ignore.)
1. The Cloud
An internet technology that allows us to access our files and/or services from connected devices anywhere in the world. Of course, it’s not a real “cloud,” but rather a network of computers and servers with super storage capabilities that remotely store data and serve requests for access in real time.
2. Software
A set of programs that instruct a task (or tasks) for a computer or device to perform. These directions – very detailed and complex lines of code – are compiled into a package that users can install and use. For example, Microsoft Office, the Adobe Creative Suite and Intuit Quickbooks are examples of application software that handle key business operations.
3. Domain
A network of computers, printers and other devices operating and managed as one. For example, your computer is usually part of a domain at your workplace.
4. Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A tool that allows internet users to remain anonymous by masking the IP address and encrypting traffic.
5. IP Address
A “home address” for your computer and/or organizational network. It’s an identifier for your digital location as your device communicates over a network. For example, your IP communicates where you are in the “digital space” as it connects to the internet – which is essentially a network of networks.
6. Exploit
A malicious application or code that takes advantage of a computer’s or network’s vulnerability.
7. Breach
The moment a hacker successfully gains access to a network and/or device by exploiting that vulnerability.
8. Firewall
Defensive technology designed to keep the bad guys out as they attempt to gain access to endpoints on your business network. Firewalls can be hardware or software based.
9. Malware
An umbrella term that describes all forms of malicious software designed to wreak havoc on a computer. It’s “the bad guy.” Common cyber threats include viruses, trojans, worms and ransomware.
10. Virus
A type of malware that corrupts, erases or modifies data on a computer and/or network with the intent to replicate and spread elsewhere. (Just as a virus would attack a human body and then spread to others.)
11. Trojan Horse
A type of malware that gains remote access to a computer through a “back door,” which often comes in the form of a seemingly innocent software download that actually contains malicious codes. After being downloaded, installed and executed, the trojan horse code initiates and infects the device or system.
12. Worm
Malware that can replicate itself to spread the infection to other connected computers. Unlike general viruses, which spread through a host file, a worm exploits security weaknesses and scans for uninfected devices to copy itself.
13. Bot/Botnet
A software application or code that performs tasks on command, allowing an attacker to take remotely control an infected computer. Cybercriminals and hackers, known as “bot-herders,” often control a collection of infected computers, known as a “botnet,” to increase the scope and effectiveness of infiltration.
14. Spyware
Malware that spies on user activity without their knowledge. Spying capabilities include activity monitoring, collecting keystrokes, data harvesting (such as account information, logins, financial data), and more.
15. DDoS
An acronym that stands for distributed denial of service – a lesser-known form of cyber attack your business must prepare for nonetheless. This attack aims to make a service such as a website unusable by “flooding” it with malicious traffic or data from multiple sources (often botnets).
16. Phishing or Spear Phishing
A cyber scam technique used by hackers to obtain sensitive information. For example, using hand-crafted email messages designed to trick people into divulging personal or confidential data such as passwords and bank account information.
17. Encryption
Encoding data to prevent theft by ensuring the data can only be accessed by authorized users. Great cybersecurity software essential “scrambles” data so it is unrecognizable by third parties scanning networks for usable data.
18. Pen-testing
Short for “penetration testing,” this hacker tactic evaluates device and network security using sophisticated cybercriminal techniques to discover vulnerabilities and evaluate security flaws.
19. Clickjacking
A hacking attack that tricks victims into clicking on a link or button usually disguised as a harmless element. By clicking, the user may unintentionally download malware, be redirected to other malicious webpages, or even make automatic bank transfers or purchase products.
20. Rootkit
Another type of malware that allows cybercriminals to remotely control your computer. Rootkits are especially damaging because they’re hard to detect, making it likely that this type of malware could live in your computer or business network for a long time.
Educate Yourself: Knowing These Cybersecurity Terms is the First Step to Knowing What You’re Up Against
But of course, knowing cybersecurity terms is only the beginning. Your organization must have the capacity – and knowhow – to address issues as they arise and work toward protecting your systems proactively.
Cybersecurity measures can save you from potentially devastating (and costly) attacks. Acme Business can work with you to create a system unique to your specific business needs. Our team of experts has one goal: keeping you safe in the digital realm.
Our cybersecurity solutions mitigate the risk of attacks – and often preventing them in the first place. To ease your mind, we also offer FREE insurance to every customer. Acme Business partners with SentinelOne to give our customers the SentinelOne Ransomware Warranty. With this coverage, you will be reimbursed up to $1,000 USD per affected computer, and up to a maximum of $1,000,000 USD per company.
Call Acme Business at (716) 372-1325 or visit our website for expert guidance on keeping up to date. You can connect with us on LinkedIn, too!
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