The world of IT security is full of complex procedures, brain-scrambling terms, and occasionally confusing processes. As a result, it can be tremendously difficult to truly be an expert on all the relevant topics of cybersecurity.
There are a number of basic concepts, though, that everyone needs to know and understand about IT security in the year 2020. This blog will contain 4 crucial IT security terms that everyone will benefit from knowing.
Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication is a major development in cybersecurity that really isn’t too challenging of a concept to grasp. Cnet defines two-factor authentication as, “an authentication method in which a computer user is granted access only after successfully presenting two or more pieces of evidence to an authentication mechanism.”
In other words, two-factor authentication makes it so you need more than just a username and password to access an account. Often the second layer of security will be a phone number or email address. The purpose of this second layer of security is to ensure cybercriminals can’t access or hack your accounts with only your username and password.
Firewall
Firewall is another term you may have heard before but been uncertain about in regards to its meaning. Cisco defines a Firewall as, “ a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic and decides whether to allow or block specific traffic based on a defined set of security rules,”
This is an absolutely crucial aspect of network security, as firewalls are quite literally the first line of defense against any and all cyberthreats. Where things get more complicated are when you begin to breakdown the different types of firewalls, which is a topic we’ll save for another blog.
Encryption
Encryption is yet another crucial aspect of cybersecurity that everyone needs to know about. The generally accepted definition of encryption is, “the process of encoding a message or information in such a way that only authorized parties can access it and those who are not authorized cannot,”
In layman’s terms, encryption makes it impossible (or at least extremely difficult) for cybercriminals to view or access any message or information you send. Texts between iPhone users, for example, are encrypted, so only you and the person you’re texting can read the messages.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A virtual private network, or VPN for short, is probably the most complex concept we’ll be dealing with in this article, but the basics of it are simple enough to grasp. Cybersecurity website What Is My IP defines a VPN as, “ a connection method used to add security and privacy to private and public networks, like WiFi Hotspots and the Internet.”
One of the reasons VPN’s are so useful in regards to staying secure on the internet is because it replaces a users actual IP address with an IP address provided by the VPN company. This helps users from revealing information they don’t want to reveal across networks.
Having an understanding of cybersecurity basics is becoming a crucial part of life in the year 2020. While we can’t all be experts on the subject matter, having a working knowledge of the terms and ideas in this blog are a great start toward keeping yourself secure in the modern world. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to consult with the experts, M&H Consulting is ready to hear from you.