Security Terms

Here are definitions of some of the common terms associated with IT security:

Malware (short for malicious software) includes viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, adware, etc.

Phishing (variant of fishing) attempting to acquire sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details by masquerading as a trustworthy entity

Spam unsollicited or undesired email usually commercial in nature

Trojans are malware that appear to perform a desirable function, but facilitate unauthorized access to a computer system.

"Zero day" Exploits take advantage of a vulnerability on the same day the vulnerability becomes generally known.

Zombies:  A computer that has had a malware software "robot" or "bot" installed and is under the control of an external system (usually via an open port).