U

USB

USB stands for universal serial bus and is a communication standard for external peripheral devices that are connected by a cable. USB devices are easy to connect, easy to disconnect, and feature good to fast data transfer speeds.

Utility

A utility is a full application that is designed for one particular purpose and to run with only a minimum of required resources.

V

Vault

A vault is a secure, encrypted location used to store computer files, passwords, login ids, and personal information.

MySecurityVault uses the latest encryption methods to safely store passwords and files on your computer.

Virus

A virus is a program that spreads by creating copies of itself, often using or embedding in other programs. Additionally, they usually inflict some kind of damage on computers. At worst, viruses destroy information and ruin computer configurations. At best, they clog computers with needless junk and use up bandwidth wastefully.

VOIP or Voice Over IP

VOIP is an acronym that stands for voice over Internet protocol—VOIP is a system for transmitting voice data (phone calls) through the same system that the rest of the Internet uses.

VOIP faces risks that are similar to any other transmission of data over the Internet—it is important to encrypt the data packets so that malicious Internet users don't eavesdrop on your phone call.

W

Wireless

1. A network that is constructed using devices that communicate over radio frequencies.

2. Mice, keyboards, earpieces, and other devices that are linked to each other or their parent device using radio frequency communications.

Worm (Computer Worm)

A worm is a program that is very similar to a virus in that it can create copies of itself and it usually interferes with the normal functioning of your computer. The key difference is that a worm can exist without other files—it doesn't need a "host" program to spread. Some of the most famous worms replicated themselves through the use of e-mail forwarding macros.

Y

Y2K

Y2K is short for Year 2000. Many companies relied upon software that wasn't intended to still be in use by Jan. 2000. These programs weren't written to handle dates later than December 31, 1999. Many people feared that these programs would crash when the new year began January 1, 2000. Companies expended millions to bring their software up to date. Whether due to luck or these efforts, very little happened when Y2K began.

Z

Zombie

Zombie is a term that refers to a computer that has been taken over by a remote system. Like a zombie, it mindlessly pursues the will of the remote system. Networks of zombies (a zombie net) are often used for sending spam or carrying out denial-of-service attacks.

There are some steps you can take to prevent your computer from becoming a zombie. Firewalls, other anti-virus methods, and caution when downloading software are all important parts to keeping your computer from becoming "Internet undead."

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