A buffer overflow occurs when a computer application attempts to assign data to a data structure past the point that the structure is designed to store information. In the classic case, a buffer is a sequential memory section that is assigned to contain information. The type of information can vary from an array of integers …
A logic bomb is a program, or portion of a program, which lies dormant until a specific piece of program logic is activated. In this way, a logic bomb is very analagous to a real-world land mine. The most common activator for a logic bomb is a date. The logic bomb checks the system date …
In the study of cryptography the terms plaintext and ciphertext are used to describe the plain language message or information and the resulting encrypted message or data that results from the use of a cipher or encryption algorithm. The resulting ciphertext is not readable by either a human or computer without the correct cipher to …
MSN is an ISP (Internet Service Provider) which is owned and operated by Microsoft Corporation. In addition, Microsoft uses the MSN brand on a number of web sites which they operate. How to Change Your MSN Password The way to change your MSN password is to change your Microsoft Passport password. Changing your Microsoft Passport …
CyberDefender is an example of malicious software that poses as an anti-virus software. CyberDefender runs a fake computer scan, then lists a number of “threats” that are really non-existent files, random files, or files that are essential to the computer’s performance. When the user attempts to remove these threats, CyberDefender asks the user to purchase …
The word forensic comes from the Latin word forensis, which means “before the forum,” and refers to something “of, pertaining to, or used in a court of law.” In this day and age, it almost always refers to a method of obtaining criminal evidence in order to use it in a court of law. Forensic …
Wardriving is the physical act of seeking out a WiFi network with a mobile device or laptop while driving a vehicle. The original term was derived from the movie, War games, that used “war dialing” during the course of the story told in the movies. In the movie, random phone lines connected to a modem …
Many businesses and government institutions use a content filtering program such as Websense to keep employees from visiting certain websites while at work. These programs can either prohibit the use of certain websites or monitor all of the sites that employees visit while in the office. Websense blocks several website categories: adult material, entertainment, drugs, …
In a symmetric cipher, both parties must use the same key for encryption and decryption. This means that the encryption key must be shared between the two parties before any messages can be decrypted. Symmetric systems are also known as shared secret systems or private key systems. Symmetric ciphers are significantly faster than asymmetric ciphers, …
For many computer users privacy is important. If you use a computer for searching the web, there may be times when you prefer to not leave a digital trail of the sites you visited. For those looking to delete their search history, you should know it is extremely easy, here are some tips. Deleting Your …