A
network- and transport-level protocol compilation
allowing a computer to speak the same language as other computers on the
Internet or on other networks. The term is used to describe the set of
protocols that are used to make the Internet work with the Internet Protocol as the main player on
layer 3—the network layer, and
the Transmission Control Protocol
on layer 4—the session layer of the protocol stack.
The TCP/IP protocol stack is a technology known for its lack
of security on many of its layers. Because the bulk of applications written for
use on the Internet use the application layer—for example, the HTTP on port 80 on Web servers—this protocol fails to provide
state-keeping mechanisms for a session between a client and the server—a flaw
that crackers use to their advantage.Though the TCP/IP protocol can give
reliable delivery of Internet packets, it cannot guarantee confidentiality or
integrity.
See Also: HTTP
(HyperText Transfer Protocol); Internet Protocol; Protocol; Server;
Transmission Control Protocol.
Ankobia, R. Vulnerabilities in Web Applications. [Online, February 25, 2005.]
Guardian Digital Inc. Website.
http://www.linuxsecurity.com/content/view/118427/
49/; Hunt, C. and Cameron, D. TCP/IP
Network Administration (3rd Edition). Online Books: OÂ’Reilly
Media, Inc., 2002; Internet Highway, LLC. Internet Terminology: TCP/IP.
[Online, 1999.] Internet Highway, LLC. Website.
http://www.ihwy.com/support/netterms.html.