Terms that start with C

A specially designed storage medium. It is often reserved as a part of the primary memory or as an independent storage device.

The intentional corruption of a server’s DNS table. It works by replacing a legitimate URL with a fraudulent one.

A test that distinguishes human and computer activity. It is used on various sites that support comment and private messaging features.

An operational mode for a block cipher. Often used in algorithms that call for the use of a cryptographic key.

A type of software that filters out unwanted content. It restricts a specific user’s ability to distribute or receive information deemed as inappropriate.

An electronic document used to authenticate identity. Also used to authentic web sites

A service that assigns digital certificates. An official certificate authority would be a trusted third-party source that can be verified

A system in which senders of commercial electronic messages pay a minimal fee to make sure their messages will bypass a filter. It is also referred to as stamped or authenticated email.

An operational mode for a block cipher. It is very similar in function to cipher block chaining.

A programming component that seeks out vulnerabilities in a web server. It is similar in function to an anti-virus scanner.

an authentication technique in which one party challenges another party to respond to a question - hence the name, challenge response.

A programmable card that can represent both a consumer’s credit and debit cards. It is currently in development at Chameleon Network.

A platform for transferring information. It typically refers to the medium that conveys data from the sender to a recipient

A web-based application that enables internet users to communicate in real-time. It may be an entire website, or a part of another site.

A virus that has the potential to destroy all data on a computer. This type of virus tends to be spread rather quickly.

A protocol that enables programs to make remote requests. These requests may refer to specific files or services.

Any method of encrypting text. Often associated with the term ciphertext.

A network in which a physical route is dedicated to a single connection between two of the networks end-points. It maintains this purpose for the duration of the connection.

Text that is transmitted or stored and not meant for encryption. Decryption is not required in order for it to be displayed.

An application or system that makes requests to another application or system. A client may also transmit data

A dual action program. One portion acts as the server to transmit data, while the other portion acts a traditional client and is installed onto a computer

The relationship between two programs or systems. One program makes the request, the other fulfills it with a response.

A computer paradigm that assigns tasks to a combination of resources over a network. This may include connections, programs and other services.

A group of resources that act as a single entity. It provides a high level of availability, parallel processing and load balancing.

The use of multiple computers, storage devices and connections to form a more superior system. It is often used to provide a high level availability and load balancing.

The recording and updating of data that represents an organization’s networks and systems. This may include various applications and devices.

A reference system used to identify malware and other infections. The purpose is to limit confusion caused by vendors who apply different names to a single threat.

A copper cable used between antennas, homes and businesses. It is also used to connect various network devices.

The result of two devices or systems attempting to send data at the exact same time. A collision typically occurs in half duplex networks.

Short for communications port. Signals are sent and received in this location of a device.

An interface that launches a program from the command line. It is able to execute by interacting with a command line interpreter

A virus that uses characteristics of another application to shield itself. It does this without attaching to original application.

The process of translating high-level programming language into a lower level language suited for a machine. Language for the machine can be executed against various data each time.

Files that are packed together in an operating system. These type of files are known for spreading infections

An interconnected group of computers. It’s purpose is to allow the sharing of resources between machines.

The successful completion of a required arrangement between two or more parties. It typically refers to a process that enables some form of communication.

the process of screening information before it reaches a user. It is often a feature found on a firewall and similar applications.

A hacking technique used to make fraudulent content appear legitimate. It is mostly used to commit financial fraud.

The malicious modification of cookie files. This act is primarily done to gain access to a user’s account or to establish new accounts in a user’s name.

Messages in the form of small text files used to store data concerning pages that have been viewed in a web browser. This may contain login info and other preferences determined by a user

a process of managing network traffic. This is generally done by grouping relative types of traffic.

A communication channel that uses parasitic behavior to acquire bandwidth from another channel. This is done without the knowledge and authorization of the channel’s operator.

A function that takes input from the data stream of any length and generates an output of a fixed length. The term is most often used to denote the function or its output.

The research of methods used for gathering meanings of encrypted information. This is done without access to confidential details that would be normally required.

A conversion that takes input and returns a string of a fixed size. It is often used for various computational and cryptographic purposes.

the science of data security. It protects information by using a combination of complex mathematics and engineering.

A common practice used to detect vulnerabilities in software. This enables the consistent labeling of vulnerable types.