| Term |
Description |
| Anti-virus program |
An anti-virus program is software that detects and deletes computer viruses. Anti-virus software can also prevent viruses from infecting your computer in the first place.
The software can also check for computer viruses when you download files from the Internet, receive emails and insert disks into your computer. |
| Authentication |
Authentication occurs when individuals and organisations verify each other's identity. When you are banking online, you authenticate yourself to Suncorp with your Customer ID and password. Suncorp authenticates itself to you with a Digital Certificate. |
| Certification Authority |
Certification Authorities are trusted third parties that issue Digital Certificates used to authenticate an individual's or organisation's identity online. Suncorp's Certification Authority is Verisign™. |
| Cookies |
When you visit a website it will often leave a file on your computer so it recognises you and your user preferences next time you visit. Cookies are often used to identify and track your Internet usage for marketing purposes. However, cookies used by Suncorp are not used to track your browsing habits. |
| Digital Certificate |
Digital certificates are the online equivalent of a passport or driver's licence. They are used to authenticate a website or individual online. Digital certificates are issued by a Certification Authority and contain the name of the certificate holder, a unique certificate serial number, expiration dates, and other information to verify the certificate's authenticity. |
| Encryption |
Encryption is a process that ensures information is kept confidential and intact. Encrypted information is 'scrambled' so it cannot be understood by anyone other than the intended recipient. |
| Firewall |
A firewall is a program that helps protect your computer and its contents from outsiders on the Internet. It stops unauthorised access to and from your computer. |
| Phishing |
Phishing is a type of scam whereby fraudulent emails are randomly delivered and are made to look like they are from a financial institution. These emails request readers to reply or click on a link and provide their banking or credit card details. They can look very authentic and link to a site that looks very similar to a legitimate bank's website. The most important thing to remember is that Suncorp will never ask you for account details or passwords via email. If you are in doubt as to whether communication you receive is authentic, contact Suncorp immediately on 13 11 55. |
| Security patches |
Faults, errors and vulnerabilities are often found in computer programs and operating systems after they have been released to the general public. Computer viruses often take advantage of these 'security holes'. Software companies usually release security patches that you can install onto your computer to fix these problems. |
| Spyware |
Spyware (sometimes called 'adware') is any program on your computer that is intended to perform a task of tracking or recording activities or operations with or without your knowledge.
Spyware can operate in many ways. At its mildest, spyware (usually in the form of cookies) is a simple tool used by advertisers to track users' Web-surfing preferences. Many forms of spyware are benign and pose no threat to security or privacy. In fact the presence of some forms of spyware (ie cookies) on your computer is necessary to enable many applications (such as Internet Banking) to occur. At its worst, spyware is used to covertly monitor keystrokes, scan files, install additional spyware and trojans, reconfigure browsers, snoop e-mail and other applications. Some of today's spyware can even capture screenshots or turn on webcams. |
| SSL |
Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) provides confidentiality and integrity for Internet traffic between your browser and a web server. You can tell if your Internet session is secured with SSL when the web address you are visiting starts with "https://", and you may also see a small padlock on the lower right hand corner of your browser. If you click on this padlock you will be able to view the website's Digital Certificate. |
| Trojan horse viruses |
In Greek mythology the Greeks offered a Trojan Horse as a gift to the city of Troy. No sooner had it entered the gates when the Trojan Horse turned out to be filled with soldiers who overtook the entire city! Today's Trojan Horses also act by stealth. These malicious computer viruses can be hidden within software, files or email attachments that appear to be useful, but instead they compromise your security and can cause a lot of damage. You can even unknowingly download a Trojan Horse virus by simply visiting an infected website.
Trojan Horses spread when people are lured into opening a file, program, email attachment or web link because they think it comes from a legitimate source. Trojan Horses can also be included in software that you download from the Internet. Never download software from a source that you don't trust, and make sure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus protection. |
| Viruses |
Computer viruses are malicious programs that can cause damage to your computer and information on your computer. They can also slow down the Internet, and use your computer to spread themselves to your friends, family, coworkers, and the rest of the Internet. |
| Worm |
A worm is a type of virus designed to copy itself from one computer to another, but it does so automatically by taking control of features on the computer that can transport files or information. Once you have a worm in your computer system it can travel alone, and it can spread to other computers at lightning speed. Recent examples of worms include MyDoom worm and Blaster. |
