UNDERSTAND DENIAL SERVICE ATTACKS

What is a denial-of-service (DoS) attack?

In a denial-of-service (DoS) attack, an attacker attempts to prevent legitimate users from accessing information or services. By targeting your computer and its network connection, or the computers and network of the sites you are trying to use, an attacker may be able to prevent you from accessing email, websites, online accounts (banking, etc.), or other services that rely on the affected computer.
The most common and obvious type of DoS attack occurs when an attacker "floods" a network with information. When you type a URL for a particular website into your browser, you are sending a request to that site's computer server to view the page. The server can only process a certain number of requests at once, so if an attacker overloads the server with requests, it can't process your request. This is a "denial of service" because you can't access that site.
An attacker can use spam email messages to launch a similar attack on your email account. Whether you have an email account supplied by your employer or one available through a free service such as Yahoo or Hotmail, you are assigned a specific quota, which limits the amount of data you can have in your account at any given time. By sending many, or large, email messages to the account, an attacker can consume your quota, preventing you from receiving legitimate messages.

CYBERSECURITY: A BEGINNERS VOCABULARY

As you master new cybersecurity skills, you’ll be exposed to new terms that are constantly growing and evolving. Each new challenge and achievement will open the doors to new concepts that must be both clearly defined and proficiently demonstrated.
While some computer security terms have become rather commonplace in our society, others remain a bit mysterious to those encountering them for the first time.
Here are some basic Internet and cybersecurity terms that may help you as you increase your knowledge in this challenging field.


Useful Cybersecurity and General Internet Terms for Beginners

• Antivirus Software. Most Internet users are well aware of these programs since nearly every computer sold today provides at least short – term access to this type of software. In a nutshell, these programs protect your computer from Internet viruses or codes that can quickly disable your computer (or an entire network). When functioning properly with all necessary updates, this software will constantly monitor your computer to prevent viruses from “infecting” it;