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Glossary of terms and definitions for IT (Information Technology), the Internet and cyber security.
This glossary provides more than 480 clear and concise definitions of commonly used terms in the fields of information technology, the internet, and cyber security. It is designed to support users of all levels in understanding key concepts, technical jargon, and acronyms frequently encountered across digital platforms and security-related discussions. Whether you are a business owner, student, professional, or simply interested in the digital landscape, this resource aims to enhance your knowledge and confidence in navigating the ever-evolving world of technology.
The system that translates human-readable domain names into IP addresses, allowing users to access websites without remembering numeric addresses.
Example: When the DNS servers failed, users could not reach any websites by domain name.
See also: Domain Name
DNS filtering is a technique used to restrict access to certain websites based on domain names. It prevents users from reaching malicious or inappropriate sites by blocking DNS queries that resolve to blacklisted domains.
Example: A business implements DNS filtering to block employees from accessing known malware sites and prevent accidental downloads of ransomware.
See also: Protective DNS (PDNS)
An attack that manipulates DNS (Domain Name System) records to redirect users to fraudulent websites.
Example: You type in your bank's website address, but DNS spoofing sends you to a fake site designed to steal your login details.
Protective DNS (PDNS) is a security service that analyses and filters DNS queries to prevent access to malicious domains. It blocks connections to phishing sites, malware command-and-control servers, and other cyber threats before they can cause harm.
Example: An employee accidentally clicks on a phishing link in an email. However, the company's PDNS service detects that the domain is linked to known phishing activity and blocks the request, preventing the user from accessing the harmful website.
A Canonical Name (CNAME) record is a type of DNS record that maps an alias domain name to the true or canonical domain name.
Example: The CNAME record maps www.example.com to example.com so both addresses point to the same website.
See also: DNS (Domain Name System)
Mail Exchange (MX) Record is a DNS record that specifies the mail server responsible for receiving email on behalf of a domain.
Example: To direct email traffic correctly, the domain example.com has an MX record pointing to mail.example.com.
See also: DNS, Mail Server
An email authentication protocol that allows domain owners to specify which mail servers are authorised to send emails on behalf of their domain. It helps prevent email spoofing and phishing.
Example: A company sets up an SPF record in its DNS to specify that only its official mail servers can send emails using its domain.
Web filtering is a broader security measure that controls access to websites based on content categories, reputation, or security risks. It can use DNS filtering, URL filtering, and content analysis to block harmful or non-compliant web traffic.
Example: A school uses web filtering to prevent students from accessing adult content, social media, and gaming sites during school hours while allowing educational resources.
See also: Protective DNS (PDNS), DNS Filtering
A text file stored on a DNS server that contains mappings between domain names and IP addresses within a domain.
Example: The administrator edited the zone file to update the A record for the organisation's domain.
See also: DNS, Name Server