Glossary

To search your computer for viruses and other problems.

If a website is “secure” it means any information you type in cannot be read by a “third party” or hacker. It also means that the owners of the website are actually who they say they are. You’ll know a website is secure if there’s a little lock symbol next to the web address or in the lower-right corner. The web address will also begin with “https” rather than just “http.” The “s” stands for secure.

An update for your computer’s security.

When someone steals information from your credit card’s magnetic strip and uses it without you knowing.

A way of making new friends and keeping in touch, using the internet. You create a profile and post information about yourself that is available to your friend network.

Junk mail that is usually unwanted or inappropriate. It’s dangerous because it often contains viruses or is trying to sell you bad products.

A computer program that “crawls” the internet and adds public information to a database. It is dangerous because it can collect your email address if it’s been posted publicly, and might add you to a spam email list.

A program that slows down computers and can track and steal personal information.