myNetWatchman Cybersecurity Glossary

Whether you’re a professional, a business owner, or an end user, here are common cybersecurity terms you should know.

2FA

Two-factor authentication. An authentication process in which the user who is authenticating needs to provide more than one type of evidence (factor) to verify their identity. For example, after entering a username and password (one factor), they are prompted to provide a code (second factor) received via email or text message. A two-step MFA.

Account

Online profile associated with a username that allows a user to conduct transactions and a service provider (e.g., a streaming service or online retailer) to manage your experience. For example, you may have an online bank account, an account at a retailer like Amazon, an account at a streaming provider like Netflix, and so on.

Actor, bad actor, criminal actor

The person or entity doing an action or activity. In computing, “actor” is used because it can represent an unknown person (a criminal actor), an organization, or a computer process. In cybersecurity, often used interchangeably with miscreant, criminal, fraudster.

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