Terminology

A Type designation used by F-Secure to identify a program that displays advertising content on the computer or mobile device. The advertisements may be displayed in the software's user interface or during a web browsing session.

Programs or services that generate income by displaying advertising content to their users instead of directly charging them are known as 'ad-supported'. If the user is not aware that the software or service they are using is ad-supported, or objects to the advertising content shown, it may cause annoyance.

A special set of privileges on a computer's operating system, tied to an administrative account. A user or administrator with access to this account can make critical changes to the operating system, and to all accounts on it.

Most users will log into a restricted user account, which only allows them to make changes to the computer's settings that affect their own account. In contrast, an administrator can make changes to all accounts.

Depending on the operating system, the administrative account may be known as root, administrator, admin or similar.

The name used by another security researcher or security software for the same unique program.

Most security software companies or researchers follow their own naming practices for identifying a unique program. When discussing a particular program, its given aliases may be included to make it clear that all the names refer to the same program. For example, the worm identified by F-Secure as ' Downadup' also has the aliases 'Conficker' or 'Kido'.

An extension to Microsoft's Windows NT File System (NTFS) that provides compatibility with files created using Apple's Hierarchical File System (HFS).

Applications must write special code if they want to access and manipulate data stored in an alternate stream. Some applications use these streams to evade detection.

A Platform identifier used by F-Secure for the mobile operating system from Google.

Android is found on a wide range of consumer products, ranging from mobile phones to cars.

A program that scans the computer system for spyware programs. Most antispyware programs include the ability to disinfect or remove any spyware found on the system.

An antispyware program may be a standalone application, though nowadays most antivirus programs can also identify and remove spyware.

A program that scans for and identifies harmful files on a computer or mobile device.

An antivirus uses a scanning engine that examines every file stored on the computer or device to identify suspicious or harmful files. The scanning engine works in tandem with its detections database, a set of algorithms for identifying harmful files. During a scan, the engine checks each file against its database and if a match is found, the file is flagged for further attention.

A Type designation used by F-Secure to identify a program that can introduce security risks if used in a harmful or unauthorized manner.

There are many useful programs that can be used to make significant changes to a device's settings, behavior or stored data. Examples of such programs include:

• Operating system rooting tools Data packet sniffing tools Remote administration software Network monitoring software

When these programs are used by an authorized person in the intended manner, they can be considered beneficial. If they are misused however, they can allow an attacker to:

• Gain unauthorized access to confidential information Gain unauthorized user privileges Perform a harmful action

A set of instructions, specifications or protocols used to transfer commands or requests between applications.

There are many APIs available for most programming languages or programs, as they are often necessary for developers to create new software or add new features to existing software.