Computer security terms you should know

Adware

A form of software that enables adverts or banners to be displayed when in use. Some Adware will collect information about you, the user, in order to target you with specific adverts. If any of your personal information is collected it is then known as Spyware. To find out more about what is being collected from you, run an Adware scan

Anti-virus software

A vital software program that detects and responds to malicious software, such as viruses and worms

Bin raiding

When a person accesses the contents of another person's rubbish to obtain personal information to assist in committing fraud

Browser

A software program on your computer which enables you to access the Internet (World Wide Web)

Cookie

A text file which is stored on your computer when using some websites. Each file contains information about the way you have used that particular website

Firewall

A program or hardware on a computer that helps provide protection from external sources – i.e. the Internet. When set up correctly, it will stop unauthorised users/systems connecting and data travelling to and from your computer

Hacker

An unauthorised user who gains, or attempts to gain, access to your computer

Identity Theft

When somebody steals your name and other personal information for fraudulent purposes. See our leaflet 'How to protect yourself from fraud' for more information

Impersonating the dead

As the name suggests, when a person adopts the identity of a deceased person to commit fraud.

Keystroke Capturing/Key Logging

Hardware attached to, or software installed on your computer can capture every character you type on your keyboard. It is used to capture the passwords and personal data you enter into your computer via your keyboard. The software can be installed onto your computer without you knowing via certain viruses (and Trojans)

Malicious Code

Essentially, any program (virus) which is written to trigger your computer into executing an unwelcome event. This can happen when browsing a website or opening an email

Operating System

A software program on your computer which controls all of its individual components and software applications

Pharming

The process whereby you are unknowingly directed to the scam website mentioned in Phishing, rather than the one you are intending to visit when typing an address in your browser. Potentially more dangerous than Phishing

Phishing

The process whereby you receive an email from a user fraudulently claiming to be a lawful and genuine organisation with a view to coaxing you into disclosing personal information and data and information. It is then likely to be used for identity theft purposes

The email navigates you to a scam website within which you will be requested to enter information about yourself, including card numbers, PINs, national insurance number, passwords, account numbers. Remember, the organisation the Phisher is pretending to be, will already have the information it is requesting!

Widely used websites, such as eBay, are likely to be the Phishers guise. The scam website you are directed to may look identical to that of the real thing, but do not be fooled – it is not very difficult to design a site like this. Don’t be a Phish and take the bait.

Please remember, we will never send you emails asking you to confirm or change your account numbers, card numbers, PINs or any other information linked to your accounts with the Society.

Postal fraud

Any scheme which attempts to unlawfully obtain money in which the postal system is used at any point in the process, for example to obtain bank account statements or PINs.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

An effective method of internet security which uses data encryption to transfer data between your computer and a website server. This helps ensure any personal information you provide over the internet is kept safe and confidential.

Spyware

A form of software that covertly collates information from you when you are using the Internet. The information is then used, directly or indirectly, to deliver you with advertising. It can often have the ability to acquire a wide range of information from you, including card numbers, account numbers, password etc.

Skimming

The practice of extracting the information from the magnetic stripe on a debit or credit card with the intention of making a copy of the card for fraudulent purposes.

Shoulder Surfing

Simple but effective. No anti-virus or similar software in the world will prevent this from happening. Whether you are using a computer, ATM, laptop or any form of equipment into which you key personal information, always be aware of who is behind you, looking over your shoulder trying to watch you enter your personal information.

Trojan Horse

A powerful form of malicious code which appears on your computer disguised as something often helpful and friendly, such as useful piece of software. In the vast majority of cases, a Trojan will need you to perform an action to activate the malicious code. A common example of this is when you receive an email which holds an attachment, which when opened runs the malicious code. Do not open any email attachments until they have been scanned by your anti-virus software – even those you receive from your friends or any familiar use

Virus

The generic term used to describe code you can receive knowingly or otherwise, which is designed to be disruptive, irritating, malicious or absolutely useless

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity)

A method of connecting to the internet or a computer network without the use of wires.

Worm

A harmful (virus) program which reproduces itself without you knowing as many times as necessary to occupy and fill up all of the storage space you have available on your computer.