The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

Dictionary Attack: An attack that uses a list of predefined values (often common or predictable passwords) in an attempt to gain unauthorized access to a system. Attackers systematically try all the words or phrases from this 'dictionary' against a user account or encrypted file. While the method can be time-consuming, its success rate is considerably high against weak passwords, emphasizing the need for users to create complex and unique passwords.

Differential backup: A type of data backup method that only saves the changes made to data since the last full backup. This approach provides a balance between a full backup (which copies all data) and an incremental backup (which only backs up data changed since the last backup of any type), offering an efficient way to save storage space while still allowing for easier data recovery compared to incremental backups.

Differential Cryptanalysis: A method of analyzing and potentially breaking cryptographic systems, especially symmetric key schemes. It involves the study of how differences in an input can affect the resultant difference in the output. By observing these differences, an attacker might be able to infer the secret key used for encryption, thereby decrypting the contents without the need for brute force.

Diffusion: In cryptography, diffusion refers to the technique of dispersing the influence of a plaintext character across many ciphertext characters. This ensures that changing one character in the plaintext results in multiple changes in the ciphertext, making it more resistant to statistical analysis and enhancing security.

Digital Code Signing: The process of using a digital certificate to sign a piece of software or code. This signature verifies the identity of the software author and assures the recipient that the code has not been altered or corrupted since it was signed. This helps protect users from installing malicious software disguised as legitimate applications.

Digital Forensics: A specialized field focusing on uncovering and interpreting electronic data for use in investigations or legal proceedings. The goal is to preserve any evidence in its original state while performing a structured analysis to understand the full details of a digital crime or unauthorized event.