An Aware Child is Safer Online

A Parent’s Handy Primer on Cyber Vocabulary – Part II

Welcome back to our primer!

As you may recall, our previous blog focused on cyber vocabulary for the benefit of Internet users. For many of you, these terms may already ring a bell, but we are explaining it to clarify any doubts that may cross your minds. These terms will not only brief you about their meaning, and the accompanying safety tips will enhance your user experience. We will be sharing four new terminologies once in every 15 days for the next two months and here are this week’s contribution.

Do take a look at the list and comment below for any queries you may have. Here we go with the rest of the terms:

1. Cookie:

A message from a web server or website, sent to and stored by your browser on your computer. Cookies are used for authenticating, tracking, and maintaining specific information from the user, such as user preferences

Cyber Safety Tip:

• Use your browser security technology to block ads and third-party cookies because:
• Cookies can become harmful if they share your personal data with a third-party without your consent
• Criminals can also use them to send spyware to your system, and advertisers can also track you

2. Plug-in:

An application built into or added to a browser to enable it to interact with a special file type like a movie file, sound file, Word document etc. Example: Adobe Flash Player, QuickTime Player

Cyber Safety Tip:

• Check for legitimacy of the publisher before downloading and applying plug-ins as it is possible they can infect your system with malware that steals personal information

3. Bot:

Short for “robot,” it is a computer that has been infected with malicious software without the user’s knowledge, has been infected by malware to turn your computer into a zombie which can then be operated remotely.

Cyber Safety Tip:

• Don’t open email attachments from unknown senders. Make sure you verify every attachment to avoid uninvited virus/malware from infecting your device
• Ignore ads, pop-ups and messages that promise huge wins and prizes as such information is most likely to be spam
• Install reputed security software on all devices – the kind that automatically updates itself. In this way, your electronic device stays protected round the clock
• Avoid opening .exe files. It helps ensure your device is safe, protected and far from virus/malware attacks

4. Firewall:

A firewall is like a protective wall between your computer and the Internet. It protects your computer from unauthorized access. It identifies intrusion and blocks suspicious content

Cyber Safety Tip:

• Keep your Firewall turned on at all times.
• Remember to scan external devices like pen drives, CDs etc. before use. This helps in protecting your device from harmful virus attacks

Watch this space for more key terms as we continue with this theme for the next blog as well. I hope the above list helped in getting clarity on a few terms used in the virtual world. Remember to share this blog with your peers to help them stay protected online.

Stay safe, stay happy!