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Glossary

Flash memory

The nonvolatile storage that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed so that data can be

stored, booted, and rewritten as necessary.

FTP

File Transfer Protocol is an Internet file transfer service that operates on the Internet and over

TCP/IP networks. FTP is basically a client/server protocol in which a system running the FTP

server accepts commands from a system running an FTP client. The service allows users to send

commands to the server for uploading and downloading files. FTP is popular on the Internet

because it allows for speedy transfer of large files between two systems.

Gateway

A gateway is a computer system or other device that acts as a translator between two systems

that do not use the same communication protocols, data formatting structures, languages, and/or

architecture.

Hacker

Generally, a hacker is anyone who enjoys experimenting with technology including computers

and networks. Not all hackers are criminals breaking into systems. Some are legitimate users and

hobbyists. Nevertheless, some are dedicated criminals or vandals.

HDLC

HDLC (High-level Data Link Control) is a bit-oriented (the data is monitored bit by bit), link

layer protocol for the transmission of data over synchronous networks.

Headend

Central distribution point for a CATV system. Video signals are received here from satellites and

maybe other sources, frequency converted to the appropriate channels combined with locally

originated signals and rebroadcast onto the HFC plant. The headend is where the CMTS is

normally located.

HFC

HFC (hybrid fiber coaxial cable) is a telecommunication technology in which fiber optic cable

and coaxial cable are used in different portions of a network to carry broadband content (such as

video, data and voice). Typically, a local cable TV company might use fiber optic cable from the

cable headend (distribution center) to serving nodes located close to business and residential

users and from these nodes use coaxial cable to individual businesses and homes. An advantage

of HFC is that some of the characteristics of fiber optic cable (high bandwidth and low noise and

interference susceptibility) can be brought close to the user without having to replace the existing

coaxial cable that is installed all the way to the home and business.

Host

Any computer on a network that is a repository for services available to other computers on the

network. It is quite common to have one host machine provide several services, such as WWW

and USENET.

HTTP

Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. The most common protocol used on the Internet. HTTP is the

primary protocol used for web sites and web browsers. It is also prone to certain kinds of attacks.

IANA

Internet Assigned Number Authority acts as the clearinghouse to assign and coordinate the use of

numerous Internet protocol parameters such as Internet addresses, domain names, protocol

numbers, and more. The IANA Web site is at http://www.isi.edu/iana.

ICMP

Internet Control Message Protocol is a message control and error-reporting protocol between a

host server and a gateway to the Internet. ICMP uses Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams, but the

messages are processed by the TCP/IP software and are not directly apparent to the application

user.

Integrity

Proof that the data is the same as originally intended. Unauthorized software or people have not

altered the original information.

internet

(Lower case i) Any time you connect 2 or more networks together, you have an internet.

Internet

(Upper case I) The vast collection of inter-connected networks that all use the TCP/IP protocols

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Glossary

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and that evolved from the ARPANET of the late 60’s and early 70’s. The Internet now (July

1995) connects roughly 60,000 independent networks into a vast global internet

Internet Worm

See Worm.

Intranet

A private network inside a company or organization that uses the same kinds of software that you

would find on the public Internet, but that is only for internal use.

Intruder

Person or software interested in breaking computer security to access, modify, or damage data.

Also see Cracker.

IP

Internet Protocol

he IP (currently IP version 4, or IPv4), is the underlying protocol for routing

packets on the Internet and other TCP/IP-based networks.

IPCP (PPP)

IP Control Protocol allows changes to IP parameters such as the IP address.

IPX

Internetwork Packet eXchange The native NetWare internetworking protocol is IPX

(Internetwork Packet Exchange). Like IP (Internet Protocol), IPX is an internetworking protocol

that provides datagram services.

IRC

Internet Relay Chat. IRC was developed in the late 1980s as a way for multiple users on a system

to “chat” over the network. Today IRC is a very popular way to “talk” in real time with other

people on the Internet. However, IRC is also one avenue hackers use to get information from you

about your system and your company. Moreover, IRC sessions are prone to numerous attacks

that while not dangerous can cause your system to crash.

ISP

Internet Service Providers provide connections into the Internet for home users and businesses.

There are local, regional, national, and global ISPs. You can think of local ISPs as the

gatekeepers into the Internet.

LAN

Local Area Network is a shared communication system to which many computers are attached.

A LAN, as its name implies, is limited to a local area. This has to do more with the electrical

characteristics of the medium than the fact that many early LANs were designed for departments,

although the latter accurately describes a LAN as well. LANs have different topologies, the most

common being the linear bus and the star configuration.

Linux

A version of the UNIX operating system designed to run on IBM Compatible computers.

Logic Bomb

A virus that only activates itself when certain conditions are met. Logic bombs usually damage

files or cause other serious problems when they are activated.

MAC

On a local area network (LAN) or other network, the MAC (Media Access Control) address is

your computer's unique hardware number. (On an Ethernet LAN, it's the same as your Ethernet

address.) The MAC layer frames data for transmission over the network, then passes the frame to

the physical layer interface where it is transmitted as a stream of bits.

MCNS

Multimedia Cable Network System is the consortium behind the DOCSIS standard for cable

modems.

MSO

Multiple Service Operators. A cable TV service provider that also provides other services such as

data and/or voice telephony.

Name Resolution

The allocation of an IP address to a host name. See DNS

NAT

Network Address Translation is the translation of an Internet Protocol address used within one

network to a different IP address known within another network - see also SUA.

NDIS

Network Driver Interface Specification is a Windows specification for how communication

protocol programs (such as TCP/IP) and network device drivers should communicate with each

other.

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Glossary

NetBIOS

Network Basic Input / Output System. NetBIOS is an extension of the DOS BIOS that enables a

PC to connect to and communicate with a LAN.

Network

Any time you connect 2 or more computers together so that they can share resources, you have a

computer network. Connect 2 or more networks together and you have an internet.

NIC

Network Interface Card. A board that provides network communication capabilities to and from

a computer system. Also called an adapter.

Node

Any single computer connected to a network

One-way Cable

Modem

A one-way Cable Modem uses the TV cable for the downstream (receive) and a telephone

modem for upstream (transmit).

PAC

The box that calls/answers the phone call and relays the PPP frames to the PNS. A PAC must

have IP and dial-up capability.

Packet Filter

A filter that scans packets and decides whether to let them through.

PAP

Password Authentication Protocol PAP is a security protocol that requires users to enter a

password before accessing a secure system. The user’s name and password are sent over the wire

to a server, where they are compared with a database of user account names and passwords. This

technique is vulnerable to wiretapping (eavesdropping) because the password can be captured

and used by someone to log onto the system.

Password Cracker

A program that uses a dictionary of words, phrases, names, etc. to guess a password.

Password encryption

A system of encrypting electronic files using a single key or password. Anyone who knows the

password can decrypt the file.

Password

Shadowing

The encrypted password is no visible in the passwd file but stored in a shadow file that is only

readable by root. This prevents brute force attacks on the encrypted field to guess the password.

see e.g.:

http://whatis.com/shadowpa.htm

Penetration

Gaining access to computers or networks by bypassing security programs and passwords.

Phreaking

Breaking into phone or other communication systems. Phreaking sites on the Internet are popular

among crackers and other criminals

Ping Attack

An attack that slows down the network until it is unusable. The attacker sends a "ping" command

to the network repeatedly to slow it down. See also Denial of Service.

Pirate

Someone who steals or distributes software without paying the legitimate owner for it. This

category of computer criminal includes several different types of illegal activities Making copies

of software for others to use. Distributing pirated software over the Internet or a Bulletin Board

System. Receiving or downloading illegal copies of software in any form.

Pirated Software

Software that has been illegally copied, or that is being used in violation of the software's

licensing agreement. Pirated software is often distributed through pirate bulletin boards or on the

Internet. In the internet underground it is known as Warez.

Plain Text

The opposite of Cipher Text, Plain Text is readable by anyone.

PNS

PPTP Network Server.

A PNS must have IP connectivity.

POP

Post Office Protocol. This is a common protocol used for sending, receiving, and delivering mail

messages.

Port

An Internet port refers to a number that is part of a URL, appearing after a colon (:) right after

the domain name. Every service on an Internet server listens on a particular port number on that

server. Most services have standard port numbers, e.g. Web servers normally listen on port 80.

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Glossary

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Port (H/W)

An interface on a computer for connecting peripherals or devices to the computer. A printer port,

for example, is an interface that is designed to have a printer connected to it. Ports can be defined

by specific hardware (such as a keyboard port) or through software.

POTS

Plain Old Telephone Service is the analog telephone service that runs over copper twisted-pair

wires and is based on the original Bell telephone system. Twisted-pair wires connect homes and

businesses to a neighborhood central office. This is called the local loop. The central office is

connected to other central offices and long-distance facilities.

PPP

Point to Point Protocol.

PPP encapsulates and transmits IP (Internet Protocol) datagrams over

serial point-to-point links. PPP works with other protocols such as IPX (Internetwork Packet

Exchange). The protocol is defined in IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) RFC 1661 through

1663. PPP provides router-to-router, host-to-router, and host-to-host connections.

PPTP

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol.

Promiscuous Packet

Capture

Actively capturing packet information from a network. Most computers only collect packets

specifically addressed to them. Promiscuous packet capture acquires all network traffic it can

regardless of where the packets are addressed.

Protocol

A “language” for communicating on a network. Protocols are sets of standards or rules used to

define, format, and transmit data across a network. There are many different protocols used on

networks. For example, most web pages are transmitted using the HTTP protocol.

Proxy Server

A server that performs network operations in lieu of other systems on the network. Proxy Servers

are most often used as part of a firewall to mask the identity of users inside a corporate network

yet still provide access to the Internet. When a user connects to a proxy server, via a web browser

or other networked application, he submits commands to the proxy server. The server then

submits those same commands to the Internet, yet without revealing any information about the

system that originally requested the information. Proxy servers are an ideal way to also have all

users on a corporate network channel through one point for all external communications. Proxy

servers can be configured to block certain kinds of connections and stop some hacks.

PSTN

Public Switched Telephone Network was put into place many years ago as a voice telephone

call-switching system. The system transmits voice calls as analog signals across copper twisted

cables from homes and businesses to neighborhood COs (central offices); this is often called the

local loop. The PSTN is a circuit-switched system, meaning that an end-to-end private circuit is

established between caller and callee.

Public Key

Encryption

System of encrypting electronic files using a key pair. The key pair contains a public key used

during encryption, and a corresponding private key used during decryption.

PVC

Permanent Virtual Circuit.

A PVC is a logical point-to-point circuit between customer sites.

PVCs are low-delay circuits because routing decisions do not need to be made along the way.

Permanent means that the circuit is preprogrammed by the carrier as a path through the network.

It does not need to be set up or torn down for each session.

Ranging

The process of automatically adjusting transmission levels and time offsets of individual modems

in order to make sure the bursts coming from different modems line up in the right timeslots and

are received at the same power level at the CMTS.

Reconnaissance

The finding and observation of potential targets for a cracker to attack.

RFC

An RFC (Request for Comments) is an Internet formal document or standard that is the result of

committee drafting and subsequent review by interested parties. Some RFCs are informational in

nature. Of those that are intended to become Internet standards, the final version of the RFC

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Glossary

becomes the standard and no further comments or changes are permitted. Change can occur,

however, through subsequent RFCs.

RIP

Routing Information Protocol is an interior or intra-domain routing protocol that uses the

distance-vector routing algorithms. RIP is used on the Internet and is common in the NetWare

environment as a method for exchanging routing information between routers.

Router

A device that connects two networks together. Routers monitor, direct, and filter information that

passes between these networks. Because of their location, routers are a good place to install

traffic or mail filters. Routers are also prone to attacks because they contain a great deal of

information about a network.

SAP

In NetWare, the SAP (Service Advertising Protocol) broadcasts information about available

services on the network that other network devices can listen to. A server sends out SAP

messages every 60 seconds. A server also sends out SAP messages to inform other devices that it

is closing down. Workstations use SAP to find services they need on the network.

SATAN

A UNIX program that gathers information on networks and stores it in databases. It is helpful in

finding security flaws such as incorrect settings, software bugs and poor policy decisions. It

shows network services that are running, the different types of hardware and software on the

network, and other information. It was written to help users find security flaws in their network

systems.

Server

A computer, or a software package, that provides a specific kind of service to client software

running on other computers.

Set-Top Box

A set-top box is a device that enables a television set to become a user interface to the Internet

and also enables a television set to receive and decode digital television (DTV) broadcasts.

Shoulder Surfing

Looking over someone's shoulder to see the numbers they dial on a phone, or the information

they enter into a computer.

SID (Service ID)

Used in the DOCSIS standard to define a particular mapping between a cable modem (CM) and

the CMTS. The SID is used for the purpose of upstream bandwidth allocation and

class-of-service management.

SNMP

System Network Management Protocol is a popular management protocol defined by the Internet

community for TCP/IP networks. It is a communication protocol for collecting information from

devices on the network.

Snooping

Passively watching a network for information that could be used to a hacker's advantage, such as

passwords. Usually done while Camping Out.

SOCKS

A protocol that handles TCP traffic through proxy servers.

SPAM

Unwanted e-mail, usually in the form of advertisements.

Splitter

Passive devices that divide the traffic on trunk cables and send it down feeder cables.

Spoofing

To forge something, such as an IP address. IP Spoofing is a common way for hackers to hide

their location and identity

SSL (Secured Socket

Layer)

Technology that allows you to send information that only the server can read. SSL allows servers

and browsers to encrypt data as they communicate with each other. This makes it very difficult

for third parties to understand the communications.

STP

Twisted-pair cable consists of copper-core wires surrounded by an insulator. Two wires are

twisted together to form a pair, and the pair form a balanced circuit. The twisting prevents

interference problems. STP (shielded twisted-pair) provides protection against external crosstalk.

Straight through

A cable that wires a pin to its equivalent pin. This cable connects two dissimilar devices, for

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