Internet Safety and Social Media
by: Alice Furman
Internet Safety Terms
Browser Hijacking- Occurs when Malware or Spyware replaces your browser's home page with its own in order to force more hits to a particular web page.
Hoax- A email chain letter that warns of impending viruses and tries to scare users into forwarding and continuing the hoax email.
Virus- A self replicating software program that is designed to infect a computer by rapidly spreading from one file to another causing great harm.
Trojan Horse- A malware that appears to be benign or desirable and thus tricks the user into allowing the program access to their computer.
Phishing- A mail or instant message scam that is disguised to look like official communication from a legitimate website.
Spyware- A type of malware that collects information about users without their knowledge, often to track browsing habits and to create pop-up advertisements.
Clickjacking- A technique that tricks users into clicking on a malicious link by adding the link to a transparent layer over what appears to be a legitimate web page.
Malware- An intentionally malicious software or code that is designed to damage your computer or collect information without your knowledge, this also sometimes includes adware and freeware.
Pharming- A technique used to redirect a legitimate website's traffic to another illegitimate website.
SPAM- Unsolicited email or junk mail.
Social Networking Terms
Flame War- A heated argument in a social media outlet such as a web forum, mailing list or chat room, in which intentionally insulting comments and personal attacks become a focus of conversation.
Flamebait- A comment posted by someone trying to provoke a flame, or an angry response.
Sockpuppet- A fake identity that someone creates and uses to deceive others for some kind of personal gain. On most websites it is possible to have more than one account, so it is easy to create several fake identities.
Chats- Live, online conversations. You can talk with people in rooms or by using an instant messaging service. Unlike having a conversation with someone out loud, everything you write can easily be saved and shared with others. Think before you press send!
Avatar- A virtual representation of yourself. The term usually refers to a virtual image.
Screen Name- Sometimes called a user name, is a virtual name that is used to identify users of a website where social media is a component. This should not be your real name but you can use a nickname or a pseudonym.
Dooced- Occurs when someone loses their job because of something they posted on a blog or social networking site.
Posts- Content that people publish on websites involving social media, such as blogs, newsgroups, and forums. These are available to everyone who has access to the site. You do not always have the option to change or delete it. It is an instantly public representation of you or your online identity.
Meme- Something that has gone viral, or spread rapidly around the internet, such as a catchphrase, hoax, topic, concept or piece of media.