Technology Jargon

2FA / MFA – Two factor or multi-factor authentication. Many accounts you have online allow this to be used as an extra security step. In addition to logging in with a username and password, you also provide a time restricted code sent to you by email, text or to an application running on your device. Recently, many sites have begun supporting cryptographic passkeys which are the most secure method of authentication.

Email Alias – an email address that is simply a pointer to another email address. The alias has no storage itself, it just forwards the email from the fake (alias) email address to the real email address. This is very helpful to help hide your identity online, break the ‘email link’ that ties your data together and also allows you to quickly turn on/off aliases that get compromised without having to change your real email address.

Firewall – hardware and software solutions that restrict traffic going in and out of your computer. They are effective in blocking access to your computer by people and programs that seek to exploit a vulnerability in your computer’s operating system. Firewalls only allow access from a resource if you have requested something from them.

ISP – Internet Service Provider – The company that provides you access to the internet. (Wave, Comcast, Ziply Fiber)

Modem – device purchased or provided by your ISP that converts internet traffic to a form your computers can recognize.

Password Manager – software that, locally or encrypted in the cloud, stores your passwords, logins, credit card numbers, and 2fa (2 factor authentication codes). All have local apps that run on your computer or mobile device as well as browser plug-ins to quickly fill in your login credentials when visiting a website.

Router – device, sometimes built into a Modem, that allows computers to connect by wire or wireless to the internet thru the Modem.

Virtual Credit Cards - Credit Cards that are generated for 1 time use or locked to a specific vendor (e.g. Amazon) for ongoing transactions . These cards can only be used by the specified vendor, can have spending limits and can easily be paused or deleted. Helps keep your purchases private and also prevents you from having to replace your 'real' credit card due to a data breach.

VPN – Virtual Private Network – a direct encrypted tunnel between your computer and another computer. Especially useful to prevent hacking and leaking data when connected to public WiFi. Also used to keep your ISP from snooping on your activities and sharing your online activities with governments, data brokers and advertising companies.