🦠
Malware
Threats
Harmful software that steals or damages.
spyware
trojan
ransomware
Glossary
Privacy terms glossary
Plain-language explanations for encryption, tracking, compliance, and security concepts.
16 terms
🕵️
Man‑in‑the‑Middle Attack
Threats
Someone secretly sits between you and the service.
tls
https
certificate authority
👁️
Mass Surveillance
Privacy
Large-scale monitoring of many people’s communications or activity.
metadata
patriot act
fisa
🧾
Metadata
Data Management
Data about data (like time, device, and sender).
tracking pixel
ip address
data minimization
🔎
Metasearch Engine
Privacy
A search tool that pulls results from other search engines.
search engine
analytics
tracking
😵
MFA Fatigue
Authentication
A scam where attackers spam approval prompts until you tap “Yes.”
multi factor authentication
push notification mfa
social engineering
🎙️
Microphone Access
Privacy
When an app can listen and record audio.
app permissions
mobile permissions
voice assistant
⚠️
Misconfiguration
Security
Security settings set up the wrong way.
data leak
secure storage
cloud encryption
🧩
Mixed Content
Web Security
A secure page loading insecure resources.
https
tls
security headers
📱
Mobile Permissions
Privacy
Permission controls on your phone.
app permissions
location tracking
microphone
📱
Mobile Privacy
Privacy
Protecting your privacy on your phone.
mobile permissions
location data
advertising id
👀
Monitoring
Data Management
Watching systems to catch problems or attacks early.
logging
siem
incident response
📨
MTA-STS
Security
A way for email domains to require encrypted (TLS) email delivery.
tls
data in transit
phishing
🛡️
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Authentication
More than one “key” to your account.
two factor authentication
totp
biometric authentication
🧭
Multihop VPN
Network Privacy
A VPN route that goes through two or more servers.
vpn
double vpn
dedicated ip
🤝
Mutual TLS (mTLS)
Encryption
TLS where both sides prove who they are using certificates.
tls
certificate authority
pki