In today’s digital age, understanding cybersecurity is not just for IT professionals but for everyone who uses the internet. Here are some common cybersecurity terms that everyone should be familiar with:

1. Malware: This is a general term for malicious software, including viruses, ransomware, and spyware. Malware is often used by cybercriminals to damage or disrupt systems, steal information, or gain unauthorized access.
2. Phishing: This is a method used by hackers to trick people into giving out personal information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, by pretending to be a trustworthy entity in an electronic communication.
3. Firewall: This is a network security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
4. Encryption: This is the process of converting data into a code to prevent unauthorized access. Encrypted data, also known as ciphertext, can only be reverted back to its original form with the correct decryption key.
5. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): This is a security measure that requires two types of identification before granting access to an account. It often involves something you know (like a password) and something you have (like a mobile device to receive a verification code).
6. VPN (Virtual Private Network): A VPN allows a user to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet.
7. Botnet: This is a network of private computers infected with malicious software and controlled as a group without the owners’ knowledge. Botnets are commonly used to send spam emails or carry out Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks.
8. Ransomware: This type of malicious software is designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid.
9. Zero-Day Vulnerability: This is a software security flaw that may or may not be known to the software vendor but doesn’t have a patch in place to fix the flaw. It is called “zero-day” because the developers have “zero days” to fix the problem that has just been exposed — and perhaps already exploited by hackers.

Remember, knowledge is the first line of defense against cyber threats. Stay safe online!