BIOS
A copy of a file, directory, or volume on a separate
storage device from the original, for the purpose of
Recovery in case the original is accidentally erased,
damaged, or destroyed.
BIOS
A block (usually the size of a sector) that cannot reliably
hold data because of a media flaw or damaged format
markings.
BIOS
This is the acronym for Basic Input/Output System. Your
BIOS runs at startup, configures devices, and then boots
the operating system. Because the BIOS is so integral
to getting your computer started, it's stored on a separate
ROM chip, not your hard drive, to isolate it from crashes.
BIT
Abbreviation for binary digit. A binary digit may have
one of two values - 1 or 0. This contrasts with a decimal
digit, which may have a value from 0 to 9. A bit is
one of the logic 1 or logic 0 binary settings that make
up a byte of data.
Buffer
An area of RAM reserved for temporary storage of data
that is waiting to be sent to a device.
Buffer Under-Run
Occurs when the system cannot keep up a steady data
stream to the CD recording software. The CD recorder
itself has a buffer that is constantly filled with data
in the event of a system slowdown or interruption. If
the buffer is emptied before the system can recover,
a buffer under-run occurs.
Buffer overflow
A type of attack aimed at a common flaw in the way software
is written (particularly in the very common programming
language C).
Buffer overflows are best explained by way of an example.
Let's say a given application includes an input field
- it asks each visitor to your website to type in their
password. The application sets aside a certain amount
of memory (a buffer) to hold that visitor's answer.
If the application isn't written correctly, the visitor
might be able to input a bunch of gibberish that would
fill up the available buffer space, and then "spill
over" outside the buffer. Clever attackers include
system commands in that spill-over, and the computer
may execute those commands since the input is no longer
going into the password buffer.
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