Electronic intrusion:
Any unauthorized use or access of a computer or network.
Virus
A piece of computer code that replicates on multiple computers and is spread through some form of communication (disk transfer, network connection, e-mail.)
Payload
The consequence a virus or electronic intrusion has on a computer system. Can range from harmless distraction to catastrophic loss of data.
Trojan horse
An application that appears to be legitimate but that actually does something illicit when run, such as steal your password.
Hacker
Any person who seeks unauthorized access to computer systems. Also a generic term for dedicated computer programmers.
Cracker
Unambiguously negative term for a hacker who uses his abilities for antisocial purposes.
Encryption
Altering data by shifting it according to a complex mathematical algorithm and a secret, unique key.
Brute-force decryption
Attempting to decode encrypted data by using randomly generated decryption keys.
