Security Glossary

Some of the internet security related words that people should know ,This glossary is taken from microsoft website for a complete listing you can visit the link http://www.microsoft.com/security/glossary.mspx .I have included here very few of them .
adware
Advertising that is integrated into software. Adware is often combined with a host application that is provided at no charge as long as the user agrees to accept the adware.

back door
A hardware or software-based hidden entrance to a computer system that can be used to bypass the system's security policies.


denial of service attack (DoS)
An attempt by a malicious (or unwitting) user, process, or system to prevent legitimate users from accessing a resource (usually a network service) by exploiting a weakness or design limitation in an information system. Examples of DoS attacks include flooding network connections, filling disk storage, disabling ports, or removing power

e-mail bomb
A denial of service attack in which an excessive amount of e-mail data is sent to an e-mail address in an attempt to disrupt the e-mail service, or to prevent the recipient from receiving legitimate messages.

malicious code
Software that fulfills the deliberately harmful intent of an attacker when run. For example, viruses, worms, and Trojan horses are malicious code.

spyware
Software that can display advertisements (such as pop-up ads), collect information about you, or change settings on your computer, generally without appropriately obtaining your consent.

Trojan horse
A program that appears to be useful or harmless but that contains hidden code designed to exploit or damage the system on which it is run. Trojan horse programs are most commonly delivered to users through e-mail messages that misrepresent the program's purpose and function.
virus
Code written with the express intention of replicating itself. A virus attempts to spread from computer to computer by attaching itself to a host program. It may damage hardware, software, or data.

worm
Self-propagating malicious code that can automatically distribute itself from one computer to another through network connections. A worm can take harmful action, such as consuming network or local system resources, possibly causing a denial of service attack.