Understanding the cybersecurity terminology: Key terms everyone should know

Phishing, malware, firewall — these terms aren’t just buzzwords. They represent real threats and important tools for protecting yourself online. And understanding them isn’t just for cybersecurity professionals — it’s something everyone who spends any time online should do. Yes, cybersecurity is a broad and complex topic, filled with its own unique terminology, but learning the basics is necessary. It’s the first step toward taking control of your online safety and making informed decisions while scrolling on the internet. To get you started, here are some of the most important cybersecurity terms everyone should know.

What is the main terminology used in cybersecurity? ??

Below, we’ve listed the top 10 core cybersecurity terms you need to know to better understand cybersecurity. While these terms are just the starting point, they’ll set the foundation for a safer online experience.

1??? Malware

Malware is short for “malicious software.” It’s a generic term that refers to any harmful software designed to damage, exploit, or otherwise compromise devices, computer networks, and data within them. Many types of malware exist, but the most common are viruses, worms, and trojans.

To stay safer from malware, use trusted anti-malware software that can help find and remove harmful software before it causes damage. Avoid downloading files or clicking links from unknown sources and be careful when opening email attachments or links, even if they seem to come from someone you know. Make sure your software is up to date. Outdated software often has security flaws that hackers can exploit, and updates will fix these vulnerabilities, keeping your devices and data more secure.

2??? Phishing

Phishing is a cyberattack in which hackers trick users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by pretending to be trustworthy sources, like their bank or an online store. These attacks usually use fraudulent emails or websites designed to look like the real ones.

Phishing scams are everywhere, but you can outsmart them with a few simple steps. Always check the website’s URL before sharing sensitive info. Be careful with unsolicited emails or links and verify that the sender is legit. Especially watch out for emails that pressure you to act fast or demand immediate action — these tricks are common in phishing. Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for added protection and use anti-phishing tools to catch and block harmful sites.

3??? Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malware designed to lock you out of your computer and encrypt your files so you can’t use them until you pay a ransom. It often spreads through phishing emails or malicious websites.

You can protect yourself from ransomware by regularly backing up your data and storing it somewhere safe, like on an offline drive or cloud storage with strong encryption. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and always keep your operating system and software updated with the latest security patches.

4?? Scam

A scam is a fraudulent activity designed to trick individuals or organizations into providing personal information, money, or access to sensitive data. Scammers often exploit the sense of trust, fear, or urgency to make people act quickly without checking if the request is genuine. They might pretend to be a trusted organization, create fake websites, or promise things that sound too good to be true. Common types of scams include phishing scams, lottery scams, romance scams, and tech support scams.

To protect yourself from scams, always double-check any unexpected messages you get. If someone asks for your personal information or needs immediate action, take a step back and check if the request is real. Be careful and don’t click on links or download attachments from unknown sources — they could lead to fake or malicious websites. Also, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

5??? Firewall

A firewall is a software program or piece of hardware that checks incoming and outgoing traffic based on predefined security rules. By acting as a barrier between your internal network and external threats, it helps keep hackers, viruses, and worms from reaching your computer over the internet.

Firewalls are helpful for all users, especially when using public networks or handling sensitive information. Businesses that handle customer or employee data should always have a firewall enabled.

6??? Encryption

Encryption is the process of converting data into code using an encryption algorithm. This way, only users with the correct decryption key can access and read the data. Encryption is widely used to protect sensitive information by making it unreadable to anyone without permission.?

Today, encryption has become a cornerstone of online security, protecting everything from emails to financial transactions. For example, when you visit a website and the URL starts with HTTPS (the "S" stands for secure), it means the site is using encryption to protect your information.

7??? Zero-trust security

Zero-trust security is a model that assumes no user or device, inside or outside the organization, can be trusted by default. Its main idea is "never trust, always verify," treating every device and user as a potential threat. This way, it helps protect the network from cyberattacks.

This model requires continuous monitoring, verification of access, and strict access controls. In a network with zero-trust security, only specific devices can access certain parts of the network and access is granted only as needed.

8??? Internet cookies

Cookies are small pieces of data that websites store on your device to recognize you and remember information about you, like your login details or browsing preferences. While most cookies are harmless, some can be dangerous if malicious websites use them to track your browsing behavior and collect personal data without your consent. This way, you can become a victim of targeted phishing attacks, unauthorized tracking, or even theft of your private information.

You can protect yourself from these dangers of cookies by regularly clearing your browser cookies, adjusting cookie settings to limit third-party cookies, and using browser extensions that block tracking cookies.?

9??? Bot

A bot is an automated program that performs repetitive tasks online. While some bots are useful (like search engine crawlers, for example), hackers can use malicious bots to spam websites, steal data, or launch distributed denial-of-service attacks. These bots work by mimicking human actions, such as sending messages or clicking links, at a much faster rate. To protect your web service against malicious bots, use security measures like CAPTCHA, firewalls, and anti-bot software.

??? VPN?

A VPN stands for a virtual private network. It’s a service that encrypts your internet connection and changes your IP address to that of a VPN server. VPN protects your internet traffic and makes you more secure while browsing online. It’s especially useful when using public Wi-Fi to ensure your data is protected from potential hackers. Always use a reputable VPN service to avoid potential security risks.

Want to learn more about how to protect yourself online? Check out our full list of cybersecurity terms and stay one step ahead of cyber threats.