Welcome dear NetworkSecLearners to this new tutorial in which we are going to go through and explain the most common cybersecurity terms in simple English. Well, I will try to explain as simple as possible.😊
If you are new to cybersecurity or are currently learning it, you have probably noticed that this field comes with a lot of technical words that can be confusing at first. Terms like Attack Surface, Authentication, Malware, Firewall or Intrusion Detection System are used everywhere but they are not always clearly explained. My goal with writing this article is to help you understand the most important cybersecurity terms without using complicated language or heavy technical definitions.🙏 This tutorial is therefore beginner friendly and is intended for students, self-learners, CompTIA Security+ candidates and anyone who wants to build a solid foundation in Cybersecurity. Think of this article as a small cybersecurity dictionary that you can come back to whenever you see a term you do not fully understand. Take your time, read at your own pace and as always grab a cup of coffee and sit comfortably to read this article. Let’s get started!!!! 😊
1. Attacks and Entry Points
1.1 Cybersecurity Attack
A cybersecurity attack is any action where someone tries to damage a system, steal data or gain access without permission. Attacks can target computers, networks, servers or even people through tricks like phishing emails.
1.2 Attack Surface
The attack surface is all entry points that an attacker can use to attack a system. This includes Open Ports, Software, Network Connections, User Accounts and even Physical Access. The larger the attack surface, the easier it is for attackers to find a weakness to exploit in order to attack the System.
1.3 Attack Vector
An Attack Vector is the path an attacker uses to enter a system. For example, a phishing email, a weak password or an unpatched application can all be attack vectors.
1.4 Brute Force Attack
A brute force attack happens when an attacker tries many passwords again and again until the correct one is found. This is why simple passwords are very dangerous.
1.5 Anti-Brute Force Mechanism
An anti-brute force mechanism is a protection that stops repeated login attempts. Examples include account lockout, CAPTCHA, login delays, or multi-factor authentication.
2. Assets and Access Control
2.1 Cybersecurity Asset
A cybersecurity asset is anything that has value and must be protected. This can be data, software, hardware, user accounts, servers, or network devices.
2.2 Access Rights
Access rights define what a user is allowed to access in a system. For example reading files, modifying settings or deleting data. Giving too many access rights is a common security mistake.
2.3 Authentication
Authentication is the process of proving who you are. It usually happens when you enter a username and password.
2.4 Authorization
Authorization happens after authentication. It defines what you are allowed to do once you are logged in.
2.5 Authenticity
Authenticity means making sure something is real and not fake. In Cybersecurity, this can apply to users, devices, software or messages.
2.6 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-Factor Authentication adds an extra step when logging in so that instead of just a password, you also need a code sent to your phone or an authentication application. This makes accounts much harder to hack.
3. Malware and Malicious Activity
3.1 Malware
Malware is malicious software created to harm systems, steal data or spy on users. Viruses, worms, trojans and ransomware are all types of malware.
3.2 Virus
A virus is a type of malware that attaches itself to a file and activate itself when that file is opened.
3.3 Worm
A worm is malware that spreads by itself across networks without user action.
3.4 Trojan
A trojan pretends to be a useful program but secretly performs malicious actions.
3.5 Ransomware
Ransomware encrypts your files and asks you to pay money to get them back.
4. Network Security Devices
4.1 Firewall
A firewall is a security device or software that controls network traffic. It allows trusted traffic and blocks dangerous or unwanted connections.
4.2 Intrusion Detection System (IDS)
An IDS monitors network traffic and alerts administrators when suspicious activity is detected.
4.3 Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
An IPS does the same as an IDS but can also block attacks automatically.
Conclusion
Congratulations dear NetworkSecLearners for going through with me some of the most important cybersecurity terms you need to know.😊
Understanding these words is a very important step in your Cybersecurity learning journey. Awesome, right? You might think that these terms are so simple and you are right but just keep in mind that they are used every day by Cybersecurity professionals and are therefore very useful to master.
Don’t hesitate to come back to this tutorial anytime you encounter a Cybersecurity term you don’t know. As a matter of fact, the more familiar you become with these Cybersecurity terms, the more confident you will feel when learning advanced topics.
I will try to enrich this list with additional terms on a regular basis, probably once every 2 months. So, make sure you subscribe to the Newsletter to get notified each time an update to this list is made. 😉
Thank you very much for reading this tutorial. I am sure you found it helpful as always so feel free to share it with others who might have an interest in such a topic. And as always, if you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment so the NetworkSecLearners community can help you.😊
Until the next tutorial, keep learning, stay motivated and stay safe and secure.😉
Great and useful!😊