Top 20 Hacking Terminologies or Slang used in Cybersecurity

As technology continues to advance, so does the world of cybercrime.

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Hackers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods, and it can be difficult to keep up with the lingo they use.

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In this article, we will explore the top 20 hacking terminologies or slang used in cybersecurity.

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Phishing

The act of using emails, messages or other forms of electronic communication to lure people into divulging sensitive information such as passwords, usernames, credit card numbers, or other personal information.

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Spoofing

The act of disguising an email, website or other electronic communication to make it appear as though it is coming from a trusted source.

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Malware

Software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the user's consent or knowledge. Examples of malware include viruses, trojans, and ransomware.

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Social Engineering

A technique used by hackers to manipulate people into giving up sensitive information or to gain unauthorized access to systems.

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Backdoor

A hidden or undocumented entry point into a computer system, allowing unauthorized access.

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Brute Force Attack

An attack in which a hacker attempts to guess a password or encryption key through trial and error.

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Botnet

A network of infected computers that can be controlled remotely by a hacker, often used to conduct DDoS attacks.

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Rootkit

Malware that allows a hacker to gain root access to a computer system, giving them complete control.

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Zero-day Vulnerability

A software vulnerability that is unknown to the software vendor and for which there is no patch or fix available.

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Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

A type of attack that allows a hacker to inject malicious code into a website or web application.

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SQL Injection

An attack that exploits vulnerabilities in SQL databases to gain unauthorized access or steal data.

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Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)

A type of attack in which a hacker gains access to a network or system and remains undetected for an extended period of time.

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Man-in-the-Middle (MITM)

An attack in which a hacker intercepts and modifies communications between two parties, often to steal sensitive information.

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Packet Sniffing

The act of intercepting and analyzing data packets as they travel across a network, often to steal sensitive information.

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Exploit

A piece of code or software that takes advantage of a software vulnerability to gain unauthorized access or perform malicious actions.

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Keylogger

Malware that records keystrokes on a computer system, allowing a hacker to steal passwords and other sensitive information.

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Rooting

The act of gaining root access to an Android device, allowing the user to install custom firmware and gain more control over the device.

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Jailbreaking

The act of bypassing the security measures on an iOS device, allowing the user to install unauthorized apps and modify the device's settings.

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Payload

The portion of a malware program that carries out the malicious actions, such as stealing data or damaging a system.

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Cryptography

The practice of using mathematical algorithms to secure data and communications.

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In conclusion, understanding these hacking terminologies and slang can help you stay safe online by allowing you to recognize potential threats and take appropriate action to protect yourself and your data. As technology continues to advance, it is important to stay vigilant and stay informed about the latest cyber threats and the language used to describe them.

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Contact Dirox today to learn more about our Cybersecurity services!

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