A Computer Lingo Glossary For The Rest Of Us

Most people don't work in the computer industry. That's a good thing!

For the "normal" people we offer this glossary. If you are so inclined, you can memorize it and impress your friends. At the very least you won't be fooled the next time somebody tells you that vitamin C is the best cure for a computer virus!

Bloatware

Bloatware is software that is installed on your computer by the computer vendor on behalf of third parties. These programs may or may not be something that you want to have on the computer but you are not given a choice - except to take the time and effort to un-install them if you don't want them.

Farming

See Pharming

Firewall

A software package or hardware device that is designed to protect your computer from malicious programs - either external OR internal (see "Trojan" and "Virus".)

Fishing

See Phishing

Keylogger

A software program or hardware device that will record the keys that are pressed on the keyboard. They are used to steal passwords, account numbers, etc.

Open Source

Open Source is a term applied to software that, by license, allows you to have the source code of the software. There are various types of licenses that give you various rights regarding the use of that source code. The most common licenses are the GPL (Gnu Public License) and the BSD license. One of the principal advantages to Open Source software is that you can never be stranded by a software vendor going out of business or changing the terms of use for software that you rely on to make your company run.

Pharming

A process where an innocent user is directed to a fake web site - where typically they steal your credit card number, bank ID, etc.

Phishing

Sending a fake email and pop-ups to fool the recipient into revealing some personal information - typically for fraudulent purposes.

Rogue Dialer

Software that installs itself on your computer and changes the dial-up-network settings to dial a premium rate number instead of your usual dial-up account.

Spam

A slang term for unsolicited commercial email(s). I'm not sure where the term came from but I like fried spam so I don't associate it with the junk email.

Spyware

Spy ware is a poorly defined term but, in general, it is a type of software that is installed in your computer to perform one or more of a wide variety of annoying or nasty tasks. For example, it can present pop-ups to entice the victim to visit certain web sites steal passwords and other personal information, and hijack Internet searches. It is typically installed without the users informed consent and it can include some features of Trojan software, Viruses, and Phishing.

Trojan

A malicious computer program that comes to you disguised as a harmless or otherwise useful program.

Virus

A malicious computer program designed to do bad things to your computer. Some are really bad and will actually erase data and/or parts of your operating system.