McAfee VirusScan Plus, User Manual

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182 McAfee VirusScan Plus
web bugs
Small graphics files that can embed themselves in your HTML pages and allow an
unauthorized source to set cookies on your computer. These cookies can then transmit
information to the unauthorized source. Web bugs are also called “web beacons,” “pixel
tags,” “clear GIFs,” or “invisible GIFs.”
webmail
Web-based mail. Electronic mail service accessed primarily via a web browser rather than
through a computer-based email client such as Microsoft Outlook. See also
email (page
173).
WEP
Wired Equivalent Privacy. An encryption and authentication protocol defined as part of the
Wi-Fi (802.11) standard. Initial versions are based on RC4 ciphers and have significant
weaknesses. WEP attempts to provide security by encrypting data over radio waves so that
it is protected as it is transmitted from one end point to another. However, it has been
found that WEP is not as secure as once believed.
whitelist
A list of websites or email addresses considered safe. Websites on a whitelist are those users
are allowed to access. Email addresses on a whitelist are from trusted sources whose
messages you want to receive. Compare to
blacklist (page 172).
Wi-Fi
Wireless Fidelity. A term used by the Wi-Fi Alliance when referring to any type of 802.11
network.
Wi-Fi Alliance
An organization comprised of leading wireless hardware and software providers. The Wi-Fi
Alliance strives to certify all 802.11-based products for interoperability and promote the
term Wi-Fi as the global brand name across all markets for any 802.11-based wireless LAN
products. The organization serves as a consortium, testing laboratory, and clearinghouse
for vendors who want to promote the growth of the industry.
Wi-Fi Certified
To be tested and approved by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi certified products are deemed
interoperable even though they might originate from different manufacturers. A user with a
Wi-Fi certified product can use any brand of access point (AP) with any other brand of
client hardware that also is certified.
wireless adapter
A device that adds wireless capability to a computer or PDA. It is attached via a USB port,
PC Card (CardBus) slot, memory card slot, or internally into the PCI bus.
WLAN
Wireless Local Area Network. A local area network (LAN) using a wireless connection. A
WLAN uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to allow computers to
communicate with each other.