Appendix A. Glossary

This section contains terms from both hackers and security professionals. To truly understand computer security, you must be familiar with both worlds. General networking terms are also included in this glossary.

admin: Short for system administrator.

adware: Software that is used to display advertisements.

audit: A check of a system’s security. This check usually includes a review of documents, procedures, and system configurations.

authentication: The process of proving that someone is who he or she claims to be.

back door: A hole in the security system deliberately left by the creator of the system.

bagbiter: Something that fails to work (such as a program or a computer) or works in a remarkably clumsy manner.

bid shielding: Hiding an item from other bidders by putting a fake, but very high bid on it to discourage other bidders.