• Computer glossary - P

    by
    computerguru
    Published on 02-03-2010 06:58 PM

    P2P (Peer to peer) — a program or a network connection used for service provision over the Internet (normally, the data sharing) which may be utilized by viruses and other types of threats to spread. Some examples of such programs: KaZaA, Emule, eDonkey, etc.

    Packaging — an operation placing a group of files (or one file) to another file, thus enabling them to occupy less space. Bunding is similar to file compression but it is more often involved within Unix/Linux environment. The difference between bunding and compression stands in the utilities used. The tar archiver, for instance, is used for bundling while zip or gzip –WinZip- is used for compression.

    Parameter — a variable data part demonstrating how a program must change in a certain situation.

    Partition — computer’s hard disk fractionation enabling the operating system to individualize each section as a separate disc. Each section can have its own operating system.

    Partition table — disk area containing information about sections and subdirectories the disk is partitioned into.

    Password — a symbol sequence used to restrict access to a certain file, program or another area to enable only those who know the password enter it.

    Password stealer — a program extracting and saving confidential data, for instance, user passwords (by means of keyloggers and other similar applications). The program can publish this list enabling third parties to use the data of the victim-user.

    Patch — a program correcting errors in some programs or enhancing it with new options. Moreover, in multimedia terminology patches are external libraries of tools loaded to the sound card memory when MIDI music is being played.

    PCI — a bus type, faster compared to ISA.

    PCL (Printer Control Language) — a special administering printer language.

    PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) — an additional devices’ specification for portable computers, including modems, sound cards, RAM and permanent memory, etc.

    PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) — a pocket portable computer. Similar to other computers it has its own operating system, installed software, and they can exchange information with other computers via the Internet, etc. The widely known manufacturers of such devices: Palm, PocketPC, etc.

    Permanent protection — a process applied by some antivirus software carrying out a continuous scanning of files used in other operations.

    PGP (Pretty Good Privacy) — a popular text encryption system, especialy, private electronic correspondence. It’s particularly well-spread in the Internet.

    Phishing — actions involving bulk mailing from seemingly insecure sources and attempting to make users open their confidential bank information. The ost typical example of phishing – an electronic mail imitating a message from an online bank supposed to make users enter their data into a fake page.

    Pin — a contact metal needle in a connector for plugging a board, or a tip terminal in connectors and cables.

    PIN-code (Personal Identification Number) — an individual code assigned to, for instance, a plastic card owner.

    Ping — an action used to trace the root to a PC in a local network or the Internet, to check how much it takes a signal to reach it, and if signals
    reach it at all.

    Plataform — a term related to an operating system, in a specific environment and under certain conditions (types of installed applications, etc.).

    Plugin — a program adding new functional options to an existing system.

    Polymorphic / Polymorphism — a technique applied viruses for encryption of their signature in a new way every time, or even an instruction for
    encryption.

    POP , POP3 (Post Office Protocol) — protocol for receiving and sending electronic messages.

    Pop-up menu — a list of options demonstrated when a definite object or a window area in a program is clicked with the second mouse button (normally, the right one). These options make the call to certain program functions shorter.

    Pop-up windows — a sudden refreshment of a window; normally, it happens when users choose an option with a mouse or presses a specific function key.

    Port / Communication port — the port a computer transfers information (incoming/outcoming) through by means of TCP/IP.

    Potentially Unwanted Program (PUP) — a program installed without user’s consent and executing actions or having characteristics which may reduce user’s control over personal information, confidentiality; it can also use computer resources, etc.

    Prepending — a technique used by viruses to infect files by attaching their crypt to a file’s body. Thus viruses ensure their activation at first launch of the infected file.

    Preview Pane — an option in mail programs to review the content of an electronic message without opening it.

    Privacy policy — a document defining the procedures, rules and data on the company’s privacy policy to ensure safety, confidentiality and opportunity to use data gathered from clients or other interested persons in accordance with the applicable law, IT security needs, and business objectives.

    Proactive protection — an option to protect PC from unknown harmful software only by means of its behaviour analysis and, thus, requiring no recurrent updates of the signature virus file.

    Process killer — a program terminating operations or processes running on a computer and being potentially dangerous.

    Program — elements enabling operations’ execution. Normally, a program is a file with EXE or COM extension.

    Programming language — set of instructions, orders, commands, and rules used for program creation. Computers understand electronic signals only (values 0 or 1). Languages help a programmer to define what a program is supposed to do, requiring no long chains of 0 and 1 but using words (instructions) more clear to people.

    Protocol — a systems of rules and specifications enabling and controlling the communication between computers and IT devices.

    Proxy — a proxy-server acting like a mediator between an inner network, the Intranet for instance, and an Internet connection. Therefore, one connection can be used by several users to connect an Internet server.