Deciphering Geeky Jargon

wk236techL

Geeky jargon leaves UK Internet users more vulnerable to online scams and viruses.

Internet users in the UK are being left confused and more vulnerable to online risks because of the incomprehensible jargon in use, according to a new Populus survey for AOL UK.

AOL’s ‘Do you speak geek?’ study revealed that jargon such as ‘phishing’, ‘rogue dialler’, ‘Trojan’ and ‘spyware’ are a mystery to most Internet users, despite being commonly used in connection to serious online security threats.

For example, while a recent wave of financial scams via email has tricked some UK consumers into handing over their bank account details and even cash, the AOL survey revealed that 84 per cent of home Internet users do not understand the term ‘phishing’, commonly used to describe such scam emails. whilst 83 per cent of respondents worry about their personal details falling into the wrong hands online.

Fewer than two in five (39 per cent) home Internet users understand the term ‘Trojan’, despite it being one of the most common online security threats.  Even though 76 per cent of home Internet users are concerned about the number of junk emails they receive, 16 per cent have never heard the term ‘spam’.   More than a fifth of respondents do not know how to tackle online risks.

Will Smith, AOL’s safety and security expert, said that some of the terms being bandied around are more suitable for a computer programmers convention than for people who want to go online at home."

If Internet users can’t understand the language used to describe these risks, they are going to find it hard to protect themselves from being ripped off.  We believe that the best approach to online safety and security is to help Internet users recognise the threats and how to prevent them. We do this by providing extensive information to our customers, as well as software safeguards.”

Once respondents were given a plain English definition of terms such as phishing and spyware, the majority were easily able to understand the issue at hand, confirming that part of the solution is avoiding geeky jargon and providing clear definitions of the risks.

Jargonbuster

Firewall
Firewall software helps to protect your computer or home network against hackers who might try to access your account without your authority

Keylogging
Fraudsters use a piece of software or hardware to monitor keystrokes on a computer, enabling them to gather passwords, credit card numbers, and other private details

Pharming
Fraudsters redirect large numbers of Internet users from legitimate to fake Web sites

Phishing
Fraudulent emails and pop-ups designed to fool you into revealing personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, and account numbers, for criminal gain

Rogue dialler
A software application that can install itself on your computer and change your settings to dial a premium rate telephone number for Internet access, resulting in larger-than-expected phone bills

Spam
Unsolicited emails, often offering products or services in which you have no interest

Spyware
Small programmes that secretly monitor the Web sites you visit, potentially violating your privacy and caus

Have your say...

Be the first to leave your comment.

  • The comment field was not filled in
  • The name field was not filled in
  • The city field was not filled in
  • The county field was not filled in
  • The email field was not filled in
  • Please state you are human

Leave A Comment*

Your Name*

Email *(Not published)

Town/city *

County *

Terms & Conditions

* Required fields

Send To A Friend Send To A Friend

Printer Friendly Printer Friendly

Add Page To Favorites Add Page To Favorites

Back to the top Back to the top

Become a 50connect Member

Green Issues With Michael Wale

Dragon Orchard - Discovery apples ready to pick.

Apple Lovers

Michael Wale visits a Herefordshire orchard brought back to life by the public.

Spotlight

Meet 50connect's Columnists

From relationship advice to environmental issues; life as an ex-pat living in France and the highs and lows of going back to study; read the latest from our regular contributors.