Health Information Compliance Alert

Published on Thu Feb 16, 2017 PDF

Master these terms to understand the basics of cybersecurity.

If your knowledge of a virus involves a flu shot and some nasal spray, then you need to update your health IT playbook. As the stakes have increased in healthcare cybersecurity, the vernacular has become more sophisticated and complex.

Get a grip on the jargon with this tech savvy primer.

Antivirus Software – a type of software that scans and removes viruses from your computer.

Cryptocurrency – a digital currency that implements encryption and is used to exchange funds via the net.

Encryption – the act of transforming data so it cannot be read or used by others.

Firewall – a virtual firewall that protects your computer from the spread of viruses.

Malware – refers to malicious software (using the “mal” and the “ware from those words) and is designed to harm an unsuspecting computer.

Phishing – a fraudulent scheme via email where criminals pose as respectable companies to get your personal information and passwords.

Ransomware – a type of malware that holds your data ransom by encrypting it and demands monetary payment to fix it.

Spyware – a software that is installed without you knowing and transmits your data to others for nefarious purposes.

Virus – a digital infection that prevents your computer from running properly and infects your files.

Worm – a stand-alone software that enters a vulnerable part of your system and takes advantage of its information.