Cryptography
The conversion of data into a secret code for transmission over a public network.

Email Security
The use of public-key encryption to protect email from tampering. Encryption is the translation of data into a type of secret code. Public key encryption is based on cryptographic technology whereby two complementary keys-a key pair-are used to maintain secure communications.

Firewall
The use of hardware or software to prevent unauthorized access to your private network.

LAN
(local area network) A communications network that serves users within a confined geographic area (usually means within the same office space).

Public-key encryption
A software technology that allows two people to communicate by email with greatest probability that no one but the sender and receiver can read the text.

Security Protocol
A set of communications standards for encrypting and decrypting a message for online transmission. Security protocols generally also provide authentication. The security protocols emerging on the Web are Netscape's SSL, NCSA's SHTTP and Microsoft's PCT. Web browsers and servers are expected to support all the popular security protocols.

Secure Web Server
A server on the World Wide Web that supports one or more of the major security protocols such as SSL, SHTTP and PCT. See security protocol.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A network set up that allows your company to send and receive data securely over the Internet through the use of encryption. The data is first encrypted before it is sent out over the Internet, and then decrypted when it reaches its final destination.

WAN
(wide area network) A communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as state or country. It requires the network facilities of common carriers.