The FREE Cybersecurity Glossary by Thor Pedersen!

White box: In a white box context, all internal structures, designs, and implementations are fully visible and accessible. This term is often used in reference to types of testing where complete knowledge of the system is available. For instance, white box testing involves thorough testing of software components based on the understanding of the underlying code, algorithms, and system architecture. This allows testers to craft specific test cases to cover all paths and scenarios within the system.

White box testing: Also referred to as crystal-box testing or clear-box testing, is a method of software testing where the tester has full visibility of the internal workings of the software, including the code structure, algorithms, and logic. The tests are based on coverage of code statements, branches, paths, and conditions and are used to ensure that all the pathways through the code are tested. This approach requires a deep understanding of the system's internals and is often used to validate complex logical flows and security vulnerabilities.

Whole-instance encryption: The process of encrypting an entire virtual machine or cloud instance, including all data and applications, to protect data and ensure compliance with regulations in cloud computing environments.

Wide Area Network (WAN): A telecommunications network that extends over a large geographical distance, connecting multiple smaller networks, such as local area networks (LANs). WANs are used for transmitting data between different locations, cities, or even countries, often relying on leased lines or satellite links.

Wide Area Network (WAN) switch: A network switch designed to handle and route data across large geographic areas in a WAN, connecting multiple local area networks (LANs). These switches are crucial for managing and optimizing network traffic, providing efficient and reliable long-distance communication across corporate and telecom networks.

Wi-Fi: A wireless networking technology that allows devices to connect to the internet without the use of physical cables. It is commonly used in homes, offices, and public spaces to provide internet access to devices such as laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Examples include home Wi-Fi networks and public Wi-Fi hotspots.