Cyber Security Glossary

AI is Artificial Intelligence. It combines computer science and robust datasets to enable problem solving.  AI is a catchall term for applications that perform complex tasks that once required human input.  It is intelligence demonstrated by computers, as opposed to human or animal intelligence.  'Intelligence' encompasses the ability to learn and to reason, to generalise and to infer meaning.  AI applications include advanced web search engines, recommendation systems, understanding human speech, self-driving cars, generative or creative tools and competing at the highest level in strategic game systems.

An unambiguous specification of how to solve a class of problems. Algorithms can perform calculation, data processing, and automated reasoning tasks.

Software that is designed to detect, stop and remove viruses and other kinds of malicious software.

An authentication app is a software application that generates one-time passwords (OTPs) for two-factor authentication (2FA). Two-factor authentication is a security process that requires users to provide two forms of identification in order to access an account or a service.

The authentication app is used as the second factor of authentication when using MFA (multi factor authentication), typically after the user provides their username and password. The app generates a unique OTP that can be used only once, and the user has to enter this OTP along with their username and password to access the account or service.

Examples of popular authentication apps include Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, and Authy. These apps are commonly used for account logins, online banking, and other sensitive online transactions. Authentication apps offer an additional layer of security and help protect against identity theft, fraud, and other cyber threats.