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Diana Hoffman, Corporate Escrow Administrator, realizes that every time she purchases a new device — whether it be a robotic vacuum, her Amazon Alexa device or Amazon Ring Video Doorbell — it is always a humbling experience to set up the electronics, especially if she has to contact customer service. She is always amazed by how many acronyms there are. She quickly learned just how much she has to learn.
As a result, we found this list in the Telework and Small Office Network Security Guide written by The Center for Internet Security Inc.® or CIS®. We found it to be very informative and decided to share it with our readers. This list should help provide some guidance on the meaning of technical acronyms that you may encounter.
Acronyms and Abbreviations:
2FA = Two–factor Authentication: An extra layer of protection used to ensure the security of online accounts beyond just a username and password.
AES = Advanced Encryption Standard: A symmetric block cipher chosen by the U.S. government to protect classified information, and implemented in software and hardware throughout the world to encrypt sensitive data.
CD = Compact Disc: Digital optical disc data storage format that was co–developed by Philips® and Sony®, and released in 1982.
CIS = Center for Internet Security: A forward–thinking nonprofit that harnesses the power of a global IT community to safeguard public and private organizations against cyber threats.
DHCP = Digital Host Control Protocol: A network protocol used on internet protocol (IP) networks where a DHCP server automatically assigns an IP address and other information to each host on the network so they can communicate efficiently with other endpoints.
DNS = Domain Name System: A naming database in which internet domain names are located and translated into internet protocol (IP) addresses.
DSL = Digital Subscriber Line: A modern technology that uses existing telephone lines to transport high–bandwidth data, such as multimedia and video, to service subscribers.
DVD = Digital Versatile Disc: A digital optical disc storage format invented and developed in 1995.
FTP = File Transfer Protocol: A standard network protocol used for the transfer of computer files between a client and server on a computer network.
GHz = Gigahertz: A unit of measurement for wave frequencies equal to 1 billion.
HTTP = Hypertext Transfer Protocol: The set of rules for transferring files, such as text, graphic images, sound, video and other multimedia files, on the World Wide Web.
HTTPS = Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure: The secure version of HTTP, which is the primary protocol used to send data between a web browser and a website.
IoT = Internet of Things: The ability to send or receive information when connected to the internet. All things that are connected to the internet and are either collecting information, receiving information or both.
IP = Internet Protocol: A set of rules for routing and addressing packets of data so that they can travel across networks and arrive at the correct destination.
ISP = Internet Service Provider: An organization that provides services for accessing, using or participating in the internet.
IT = Information Technology: The use of computers to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data, or information.
MAC = Media Access Control: A network data transfer policy that determines how data is transmitted between two computer terminals through a network cable.
NAT = Network Address Translation: Modifies the network address information while transferring across a routing device. Allows multiple computers to share a single public IP address. With the explosion of the internet there is simply not enough IP addresses.
SoHo = Small Office/Home Office: Refers to the category of business or cottage industry that involves from one to 10 workers.
SP = Special Publication: Provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for all of the U.S.
SSH = Secure Shell: A cryptographic network protocol for operating network services securely over an unsecured network.
SSID = Service Set Identifier: The name for a Wi–Fi network.
SSL = Secure Sockets Layer: Uses cryptographic system that encrypts data. Allows the encrypted data to be shared between the browser and the server.
TCP = Transmission Control Protocol: A standard that defines how to establish and maintain a network conversation through which the application programs can exchange data. The protocols are a kind of language that computers use.
TLS = Transport Layer Security: Provides privacy and protection for the data that is being transmitted between different nodes on the internet.
UDP = User Datagram Protocol: Used for data transferring and is typically used for streaming media.
UPnP = Universal Plug and Play: A standard that uses internet and web to enable devices such as a PC, printer and cellular phones to be plugged into a network and automatically know about each other.
USB = Universal Serial Bus: A standard interface that allows a person to connect an electronic device to a computer.
VPN = Virtual Private Network: A technology which is used to link computers to create a private network.
WAP = Wireless Access Point: Allows people to connect Wi–Fi devices to a wired network.
WEP = Wired Equivalent Privacy: Security protocol for wireless networks. Giving the same level of privacy and protection as a wired network.
WiFi = Wireless Fidelity: Uses radio waves to provide wireless high–speed internet and network connections.
WPA = WiFi Protected Access: A security standard for users of devices with wireless internet connections. Provides data encryption and user authentication.
WPAN = Wireless Personal Area Network: A short area wireless network for interconnecting devices centered on a person's workspace.
WPA–PSK = WiFi Protected Access — Pre–Shared Key: A security mechanism used to authenticate and validate users on a wireless connection.
WPS = WiFi Protected Setup: A wireless network security that tries to make connections between a router and wireless devices faster and easier.
Next month's cyber buzz article will explain a new type of real estate purchaser called an iBuyer. Hint: The "i" in iBuyer stands for instant.
Article provided by contributing author:
Diana Hoffman, Corporate Escrow Administrator
Fidelity National Title Group
National Escrow Administration
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