Definitions and Terms

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

An Internet Service Provider is a company that provides you with Internet access. AOL is an example of an ISP that provides modem access. ISP's can also include companies that provide cable and DSL access. Any information that you send across the Internet starts by going through these companies.

Browser

A browser is the program that you use to view web pages on the Internet. Netscape and Internet Explorer are examples of the two most popular browsers. A browser handles all requests for information made by the web site. The browser is also in charge of executing the programs that are embedded in web pages.

Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS):

A program layer created by Netscape and implemented beneath the regular HTTP application layer. To ensure the security of your messages, the necessary code is contained in a program layer between an application (e.g. your browser) and the Internet's TCP/IP layers. "Sockets" refers to the method of passing data from client to server, and between program layers of the user's computer. Netscape's SSL uses the public-and-private key encryption system devised by RSA, this system includes a digital certificate.

SSL is an integral part of Netscape's browsers. If a Web site is on a Netscape server, SSL can be enabled and specific Web pages can therefore be identified as requiring SSL access. Downloading Netscape's SSLRef program from the Netscape homepage allows users to utilize SSL with other browsers.

INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP): The protocol governing the manner in which data is relayed between computers on the Internet. Each computer (host) on the Internet has a unique numerical address, distinct from all other computers. When you send or receive data (such as an e-mail or Web page), the message is divided into packets, each containing the sender and receivers' Internet address. The packages can therefore be relayed through different gateway computers without being mislaid.

The Internet Protocol address that you are assigned is owned by your Internet Service Provider(ISP). They are often divided up into geographical locations and are assigned names based on their location. Therefore someone can tell which ISP you use and your rough geographical location based on your IP.

COOKIES: A "Cookie" is a bit of information that is saved on your computer. The information that is saved on your computer is decided by the web site that submitted the cookie. Cookies come in two basic forms. "Session-only cookies" are stored in your browsers cache and are destroyed when you close your browser. "Permanent cookies" are placed in a file on your hard drive and will last for as long as the web site chooses. These can be active for days, weeks or even years. Since the web site has control of the information stored and the lifetime of the information, the relative risk of a cookie is dependent on the site that sent it. Cookies can also be set by one site to be retreived by another site. This allows business partners to make their information about you available to each other.

JAVA, JSCRIPT & JAVASCRIPT: Java is a programming language designed for the Internet. An object-oriented programming language, it is simpler to use than C++ and can be used to create applications for individual computers or for servers and clients in a network. It can also be used to build applets for Web pages. An applet permits the user to interact with the Web page. Both Netscape Communicator and Microsoft Internet Explorer run Java applets and include Java compilers.

JavaScript was designed by Netscape and is distinct from Java. Although easier to learn than Java, it lacks Java's portability and speed. Similarly, Java's proliferation amongst different browsers and operating systems makes it preferable for the development of Web applications.

JScript was designed by Microsoft as a counter to Netscape's JavaScript. It is very similar to JavaScript.

Server: A Server is a computer that provides a certain service. For instance, web servers provide web hosting, a mail server allows you to send and receive email and news server will give you access to newsgroups. It is possible for one computer to provides multiple services. Therefore, it is possible for one computer to be both a mail server and a web server. In general, the term "server" can be replaced with the phrase "the computer in charge of". Servers are capable of logging and intercepting any traffic sent through them.

PORT FORWARDING: Each of your Internet applications is assigned a specific "port" for sending and receiving information. For instance, your web traffic is often sent on port #80, your incoming POP3 mail is assigned to port #110, your outgoing mail is sent along port #25, and your news is sent on port #119. This organizes traffic so that it can be easily distinguished by servers and your computer. SSH uses port #22 to send encrypted traffic. Port forwarding is a three step process. First you tell all of the software programs that you want to have encrypted, such as your browser and email, to send their information to "localhost". Your SSH software will answer as "localhost" and collect the information. Next, it will then encrypt the information and send the information to our server across port #22. Finally, our server will then decrypt the information and send the traffic out along it's normally assigned port number. Since information that would normally leave your computer out separate ports is now being sent through one single port, it is now impossible for someone who is monitoring you to tell whether it was web traffic, or email traffic, or any other kind of traffic. In addition, the information was encrypted so it is impossible for the person to attempt to read the information in port #22. This process of forwarding your normal web traffic through the secure shell encrypted port is known as "port forwarding".