!
Never use exclamation marks.
&
Avoid using ampersands outside brand names, trademarks, formal titles, or in logotypes, (e.g., Ogilvy & Mather, Standard & Poor).
%
Use % when dealing with numerals. Use "percent" when the numbers are written out.
Example: 5%. 10%. The stock is up five percent on the month.
24/7
24/7/365
32 bit, 64 bit
affect
Verb, to influence
Effect - verb, to cause; noun, result
a lot
among
Among introduces more than two items, between introduces two items.
Example: The funds were divided among Ford, Carter, and McCarthy.
anti-spam
anti-malware
antivirus
One word. Do not use AV as an abbreviation.
apps
appliance
Sophos appliances (but Sophos Email Appliance/Sophos Web Appliance)
auto-update
back end
Example:
The new back end is great.
back-end
Example:
The back-end processor is powerful.
-based
BlackBerry, BlackBerrys
Not BlackBerries or Blackberry
Blackhat
blacklist
Use in preference to block list.
cellphone
co-branded
complimentary
A compliment, with an i, is a kind or flattering remark. If a friend says he likes your new shoes, he’s giving you a compliment.
Example:
The CEO complimented the staff on their efforts. He made complimentary remarks about their recent work.
complementary
A complement, with an e, is a full crew or a set, and when something complements something else, it means they go well together. You might talk about a picture frame that complements a photo or the crew complement needed to operate a ship.
Example:
Enjoy the complementary drinks.
Sophos Clean complements Sophos Endpoint Protection.
coordinate
cybercrime
cybercriminal
cybersecurity
day zero
Use zero day (no caps, hyphen if adjective); do not use 0-day.
data center
data loss
datasheet
DDoS
desk aid
dial-up
Distributed denial-of-service attack
DOS
double-click
dropdown
ecard
ecommerce
effect
e.g.
Write e.g. in lowercase and follow it with a comma. When giving an example, use e.g.
Use i.e. if you need to give further explanation (i.e., to explain a point you’ve made already in more depth).
email
end user
end-user
endpoint
Enterprise Manager
etc.
Write in lowercase and always follow it with a period
Example:
Serial, parallel, USB, IEEE 1394, etc.
every day
Not everyday, unless as an adjective
Example:
Everyday occurrences happen every day.
Facebook
failover
fake antivirus
Not Fake AV, not fake anti-virus
false negative
false positive
farther
Use farther to talk about distance, and use further to talk about time or amount.
Example:
Paris is farther north than Barcelona. (Distance)
This year, we’re further along in the development cycle. (Time)
fewer
Use less when you’re talking about things you can’t count individually; use fewer with objects you can count one-by-one.
Example:
There were fewer attacks this month.
There was less activity in the first half of the year.
filename
focused, focusing
four-color process
full-strength
further
front end
front-end
Example:
front-end interface
FTP
genotype
healthcare
help desk
Example:
Call the help desk for further information.
home page
HTTP
IDE
IP
IT
i.e.
Use it if you need to give further explanation (i.e., to explain a point you’ve made already in more depth). Write i.e. in lowercase and follow it with a comma. To give an example, use e.g. instead.
inbox
InterCheck technology
internet
intranet
kernel-mode
keyword
knowledgebase
Example:
Sophos support knowledgebase
left-hand
less
licence
license
Verb (U.K./AU); noun and verb (U.S.)
licensee
licensing
Linux
Ltd./ Inc.
Use abbreviation always. Don’t use Limited.
Mac/Macintosh
Mac OS X
macro
message box
mid-size business
Use mid-size business, not medium-sized business
more than
Use “more than” to discuss numbers, never “over”
NetWare
next-gen firewall
Hyphenate “next-gen” when followed by a noun
ongoing
online
onsite
OpenVMS
OS/2
outbox
Outlook
Outlook Express
Partner
Example:
Sophos Partner
Our partners (no capitalization when not using Sophos before partner)
PC
PDF
peer-to-peer
Plc
For Sophos; most other companies use plc or PLC - use their preference
plugin
popup
Example:
A popup window opens
practice
Noun in U.K.; noun and verb in U.S.
practise
predefine
pre-empt
proactive
pull-down
PureMessage
real-time
Adjective; otherwise real time
Example:
A real-time transaction. He updated it in real time.
re-enter
registry
removable
re-read
right-hand
Adjective; not right hand
rollout
scalable
screensaver
smartphone
smartcard
Sophos Antivirus
Not Sophos Anti-Virus or SAV
SPARC
spear phishing
standalone
Adjective; when used after a verb, stand alone is two words
Example:
A standalone computer; they stand alone.
SMTP
spam
startup
strapline
SUSE
system requirements
Use this phrase when referring to software. If referring to hardware use “technical specifications.”
technical specifications
Use this phrase when referring to hardware. If referring to software use “system requirements.”
troubleshoot
whitepaper