Privacy and security advice is full of jargon, and it is hard to follow a guide when every other word needs looking up. This glossary explains 30 common terms in plain English, grouped by topic, so you can read app descriptions, settings screens and news stories with more confidence.
Table of Contents
Account and Login Basics
- 1. Encryption: scrambling data so only someone with the right key can read it. Encrypted files look like random characters to anyone else.
- 2. End-to-end encryption: a form of encryption where only the sender and recipient can read a message, not the service carrying it. Our guide to private messaging apps explains how this works in practice.
- 3. Password manager: an app that creates, stores and fills in strong, unique passwords, protected by one master password.
- 4. Two-factor authentication (2FA): a login that requires a second proof, such as a code or security key, in addition to your password.
- 5. Passkey: a newer sign-in method that replaces a password with a cryptographic key stored on your device and unlocked with biometrics or a PIN.
- 6. Biometrics: physical traits, such as a fingerprint or face, used to unlock a device or app.
- 7. Backup codes: one-time codes that let you sign in if you lose access to your usual second factor.
Common Threats
- 8. Malware: any software designed to harm a device or steal data, including viruses, trojans and spyware.
- 9. Phishing: a fake message or website that tricks you into handing over passwords, payment details or personal information.
- 10. Smishing: phishing sent by text message, often posing as a delivery company, bank or government agency.
- 11. Ransomware: malware that locks or encrypts your files and demands payment to restore them.
- 12. Spyware: software that secretly monitors activity, such as messages, location or keystrokes.
- 13. Stalkerware: a type of spyware installed on someone’s device, often by a person they know, to track them without consent.
- 14. SIM swapping: a scam in which a criminal convinces a carrier to move your phone number to their SIM card, letting them receive your text codes.
- 15. Social engineering: manipulating people, rather than technology, into revealing information or granting access.
- 16. Data breach: an incident in which data held by a company is exposed or stolen.
- 17. Credential stuffing: using usernames and passwords leaked in one breach to try logging into other sites, which is why reused passwords are risky.
- 18. Zero-day vulnerability: a security flaw that attackers know about before the software maker has released a fix.
For a closer look at how these threats affect phones specifically, read our overview of mobile security threats.
Networks and Browsing
- 19. VPN (virtual private network): a service that encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through another server, hiding it from the local network.
- 20. HTTPS: the secure version of the web protocol. It encrypts data between your browser and a website, but does not prove the site itself is trustworthy.
- 21. IP address: a number that identifies a device or network on the internet and can reveal your approximate location.
- 22. Firewall: a tool that monitors and filters network traffic to block unwanted connections.
- 23. Cookies: small files websites store in your browser to remember logins and preferences. Third-party cookies are often used for tracking across sites.
Devices, Apps and Files
- 24. App permissions: settings that control what an app can access, such as your camera, microphone, contacts, photos or location.
- 25. Security update (patch): a software update that fixes known vulnerabilities. Installing updates promptly is one of the simplest protections available.
- 26. Sideloading: installing apps from outside the official app store, which skips some of the store’s safety checks.
- 27. Rooting and jailbreaking: removing built-in restrictions on Android (rooting) or iPhone (jailbreaking). This can weaken security and is rarely necessary.
- 28. Photo vault: an app or locked folder that stores private photos behind a PIN or biometrics, separate from your main gallery. Learn more in our guide to what the Keepsafe photo vault is.
- 29. Metadata: hidden information attached to a file. Photo metadata, often called EXIF data, can include the date, device and sometimes the GPS location where a picture was taken.
- 30. Privacy policy: a document explaining what data a company collects, how it uses that data and who it shares it with.
Commonly Confused Terms
Some terms sound alike but mean different things. This table clears up a few frequent mix-ups.
| Term | Often confused with | The difference |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | End-to-end encryption | Encryption can protect data in transit or storage; end-to-end means only the people communicating can read it. |
| HTTPS | A safe website | HTTPS secures the connection, but a phishing site can still use it. |
| VPN | Anonymity | A VPN hides traffic from local networks, but the VPN provider and sites you sign in to can still see activity. |
| Passkey | Password | A passkey is not something you type or remember, and it is designed to resist phishing. |
| Spyware | Stalkerware | Stalkerware is spyware used by someone who knows the victim, often a partner or family member. |
How to Use This Glossary
Bookmark this page and return to it when an app description or security alert uses unfamiliar language. When you come across a new term, look it up before granting permissions or entering personal information. Thealitekeepsafe.com adds plain-English explanations like these across its guides to help beginners make informed choices.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between privacy and security?
Security is about protecting devices and data from unauthorized access. Privacy is about controlling who collects your information and how it is used. Good security supports privacy, but they are not identical.
Is a VPN enough to keep me safe online?
No. A VPN protects your connection on untrusted networks, but it does not stop phishing, malware or weak passwords. It works best alongside updates, 2FA and careful browsing.
How can I remove metadata from photos?
Many phones let you turn off location tagging in camera settings, and some sharing menus offer an option to remove location before sending. Check your device’s camera and sharing options.
Learning the language of privacy and security is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself. With these 30 terms in hand, you will be better prepared to compare apps, adjust settings and recognize scams before they cause harm.
