Coutts Online Security Glossary

Online Security Glossary

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Anti-Spyware Program

Anti-spyware programs are designed to protect your computer from spyware (see under 'S'), and are useful in ensuring that your computer and your personal details remain secure.

Anti-virus software

Anti-virus software is designed to detect and remove incoming viruses (typically via email) that attempt to get on to and infect your computer. Popular anti-virus software such as McAfee Virus Scan, Norton AntiVirus, or Sophos Anti-Virus can help to protect your computer from the latest viruses. New viruses can spread very quickly so you should ensure that your anti-virus software is running and is updated regularly – at least weekly. Most popular software packages can be set your to “auto-update”, by downloading the latest virus definitions automatically at regular intervals.

B

Broadband

Short for broad bandwidth. Broadband describes any type of high-speed Internet access, such as ADSL. Broadband internet connections are ‘always on’ meaning you are always connected to the internet, therefore it is essential that you have a firewall to reduce the risk of exposure.

Browsers

This is the software that is used to view web pages. The two most popular browsers are Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator, but there are other browsers available such as Opera and Firefox that may not be as susceptible to attack.

C

Cache

A cache is a browser's temporary storage space. When you visit a web page, a copy of it is automatically placed in the cache. When you return to the page later, it should load quickly because it's drawn from your cache rather than the Internet. Before a page is displayed, the browser will check to see if it's in the cache before trying to download it. To see the newest version of the page, you can force the browser to download it by selecting the Refresh or Reload button.

Cookie

Cookies are small files stored on a computer's hard drive. Cookies are generally harmless and are used to recognise a user so that they can receive a more consistent experience at a particular website. Cookies can contain information about your preferences that allows customisation of a site for your use. A useful cookie could record your interest in the weather in your town or certain share prices. You can set your browser options so that you will not receive cookies and you can also delete cookies from your browser. However, you may find that some parts of a website will not function properly if you refuse cookies. Coutts Online Banking requires cookies to be enabled so that the security works fully thus protecting your information while online. The cookie for Online Banking is deleted automatically when you log off the service.

D

Dial-up

This is the method of connecting to the Internet using a phone line and modem. Your computer will dial a number (as provided by your internet service provider (ISP)) and you will need to enter a user name and a password before you can access the Internet. Once you are connected you will be able to surf the Internet and access your emails.

E

Encryption

Encryption scrambles information into an encoded form before it is sent over the Internet, stopping unauthorised people from reading the information. All the Coutts secure sites use 128-bit Secure Socket Layer (SSL) Encryption, which is accepted as the industry standard level. You know that your session is in a secure ‘encrypted' environment when you see https:// in the web address, and when you see the locked ‘padlock' symbol at the bottom of your browser window.

F

Firewall

A firewall can protect your computer from unauthorised access and block malicious and unwanted Internet activity. Set up correctly, a firewall can make your computer ‘invisible’ to other people on the Internet. A firewall can come as a program you install on your computer, a software firewall, or a little box that sits between your computer and the Internet, a hardware firewall. Microsoft Windows XP and Mac OS X both contain a firewall program, but there are other firewall programs available. As with anti-virus software these programs are only effective if regularly updated. When used together they will greatly reduce the risk of attack. There are many effective programs to choose from. Common commercial examples are from Zone Labs, Symantec (Norton), McAfee and Computer Associates.

H

Hacker

A hacker is a person who uses a computer to break into other computer systems in order to steal, change or destroy information. To protect yourself from hackers you should install a firewall.

I

Identity theft

Identity theft is when someone else steals your personal information without your knowledge. They may then use your details to commit fraud.

ISP

An Internet Service Provider (ISP) provides its customers with access to the Internet, usually through a phone line linked to the computer. The ISP will give you a username, password and access phone number.

J

Javascript

A scripting language used to embed small elements, such as interactive forms, into a web page. It's not related to Java. Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer support JavaScript although Microsoft has developed a similar language called Jscript. JavaScript can also be used to automatically change dates on web sites and to change text or images when your mouse is rolled over them.

K

Keystroke logging or ‘keylogging’

Keystroke logging is the action of recording the keys pressed on your keyboard while you are using your computer. Such activity can be captured by a hardware device attached to your computer or by software running almost invisibly on your computer. Viruses or Trojan horses usually install keylogging software, but most popular anti-virus and anti-spyware software will help protect your computer against this threat. Keystroke logging is often used by fraudsters to capture personal details including passwords. The risk of encountering such keystroke logging is greater on computers that are shared by a number of users, such as those in Internet cafes, so extra care should be taken when using such computers.

P

"Patches" or security updates

"Patches", or security updates, are software updates issued by software manufacturers when security vulnerabilities are found in their software. Patches are designed to fix vulnerabilities and you can download them via the Internet. It is recommended that you keep your computer safe by regularly applying any security patches.

Phishing

Phishing is a high-tech scam that uses email or pop-up messages to deceive you into disclosing personal information and security details - for example, your credit card numbers, log on details, passwords or full memorable information. Coutts will send you messages from time to time, but we will never ask you for your security information or log on details, or direct you to a web page that asks for this information. We recommend that you type in URLs rather than click on any links in e-mails. If you think you may have given away your personal details to a fraudster, please call us immediately.

Privacy Policies

Today, many companies are required to publish a Privacy Policy to provide customers with details on how the company keeps information private, how the information is shared and why it is collected. It is good practice to read the Privacy Policy of a company with which you may have an account or financial dealings. Most Privacy Policies also explain how customers can request removal of their names and particulars from promotional mailing lists. Click here to read the Coutts privacy policy. (LINK TO Coutts Privacy Policy)

Portal

A web site that links you to information on other sites and offers services such as email, news feeds and discussion forums. Most search engines are now portals and Yahoo is probably the most famous.

S

Secure Socket Layer ('SSL')

"SSL" is a method of coding that enables private communication between a web browser and a web server. Many web sites use 'SSL' to ensure customer information, such as banking details, is kept secure. Normally you will not be aware of 'SSL' as it works automatically when you access a secure web site. You can tell if you’re accessing a secure web site by checking the address bar along the top of your screen to ensure the address begins with ‘https’. If you are using Internet Explorer, you should see an icon that looks like a padlock at the bottom of the window that indicates you are in a secure session.

Security Vulnerabilities

Security holes/bugs are faults, defects or programming errors. Unauthorised users may exploit these to access computer networks or web servers via the Internet. As these vulnerabilities become known, software publishers develop ‘patches,' ‘fixes' or ‘updates' that you can download to fix the problems.

Session Time-out

This is an automatic log off, for security reasons, from any secure session after a period of inactivity. All our secure Internet services have this protection.

Shoulder surfing

Shoulder surfing is a term used for anyone observing what you are doing on a computer or ATM. They may stand or sit closely behind you to watch you when you input personal details.

Spam

Unwanted email messages offering products and services of dubious benefit are often called Spam. Various types of anti-spam software are available, but the first line of defence may be your own Internet Service Provider, many of whom offer spam-filtering services. It is best not to reply to any spam because the spammers then know they have found a real email address.

Speech reader

A software program for visually impaired people that reads web page content.

"Spoof" websites

"Spoof" websites are fraudulent websites designed to look like legitimate ones. They are used to defraud customers by asking people to enter their personal or security details on the website. Fraudsters will then use these details to access people’s accounts. Email scams asking people to update their details will often contain links to ‘spoof’ websites. We recommend that you type in URLs rather than click on any links in e-mails.

Spyware

Spyware is software that collects information about your Internet usage. It is often installed without your knowledge after you have downloaded suspicious software. If you have spyware installed, you may notice your computer running slower, being redirected to websites you hadn't intended to visit, or unwanted 'pop-up' windows appearing while you are using the Internet. Popular anti-spyware software, such as AdAware and Spybot’s Search and Destroy can help to protect your computer.

T

Trojan

Trojans are named after the Wooden Horse of Troy – in ancient times, it was a gift that contained a nasty surprise. In the electronic world, Trojans are software programs created by fraudsters to deliver a virus or sinister code to your computer and gain access to your computer. Trojans can arrive on your computer as part of a suspicious email you have opened or a file that you may have downloaded from an un-trusted or unknown source. Popular anti-virus software such as McAfee Virus Scan, Norton AntiVirus, or Sophos Anti-Virus, and popular firewall software such as McAfee Internet Security Suite, Norton Internet Security, or Zone Alarm can help to protect your computer from the latest Trojans.

Two Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication is an authentication protocol that requires two forms of authentication to access a system. This contrasts with traditional password authentication, which requires that a user only know a password to gain access to a system. The first factor in the authentication is typically a physical token, such as a card. The other is typically something memorized, such as a security code or PIN. In this context, the two factors involved are sometimes referred to as ‘something you have and something you know’.

V

Virus

A virus is a computer program that can embed itself into other programs on your computer, and can wreak havoc on destroying files and damaging your hard drive. Email is currently the most popular way to spread viruses. Opening an infected email can trigger the spread of the virus onto your computer. Popular anti-virus software such as McAfee Virus Scan, Norton AntiVirus, or Sophos Anti-Virus can help protect your computer from the latest viruses. New viruses can spread very quickly so you should ensure that your anti-virus software is running and is updated regularly – at least weekly.

Virus Definition Files

This is a list of known viruses that anti-virus software uses to search your computer or incoming files and emails. In order for anti-virus software to work effectively it is vital that you should keep your virus definition files as up-to-date as possible. Update the files and run a full scan at least once a week

W

Worm

A worm is a harmful program that travels across a network of computers. Similar to viruses in that they are programs that are often designed to interfere with the computers they infect. Popular anti-virus software such as McAfee Virus Scan, Norton AntiVirus, or Sophos Anti-Virus can help protect your computer from the latest viruses.