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Cybersecurity
Terms Starting with W

Understanding security terminology helps you make informed decisions about protecting your organization. This glossary defines essential security terms for managed services and enterprise protection.

W

WAF (Web Application Firewall)
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Security technology that inspects HTTP traffic to web applications and blocks attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and credential abuse. WAFs supplement traditional firewalls by understanding application-layer threats that network controls miss.

WAN (Wide Area Network)
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A network spanning large geographic areas that connects multiple local networks, branch offices, and remote sites. WAN designs balance bandwidth, reliability, and cost across links like fiber, MPLS, broadband, and cellular connections.

Weakness
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Imperfections in software code, design, architecture, or deployment that could become exploitable vulnerabilities under certain conditions. Weaknesses represent potential security flaws requiring evaluation to determine if remediation is necessary.

Web filtering
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Security controls that restrict user access to websites based on category, reputation, or content policies. Web filtering blocks malware distribution sites, phishing pages, and unauthorized cloud applications while enforcing acceptable use rules.

Whaling
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A phishing variant targeting senior executives or high-value individuals with personalized messages designed to authorize fraudulent transactions or disclose sensitive information. Whaling research relies on public profiles, organizational charts, and company announcements to craft believable pretexts.

White Team
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Neutral facilitators overseeing security exercises between red teams (attackers) and blue teams (defenders). White teams establish rules of engagement, monitor activities, evaluate performance, and document findings.

Whitelist
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A list of approved entities such as IP addresses, email addresses, applications, or domains explicitly permitted to access systems or bypass security controls. Whitelisting blocks everything by default except approved items, providing strong security but requiring careful maintenance to avoid blocking legitimate traffic. Modern terminology favors "allow list" over "whitelist."

WireGuard
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A modern open-source virtual private network protocol designed for simplicity, performance, and strong cryptography. WireGuard uses fewer lines of code than legacy VPN protocols, reducing attack surface while delivering faster connections and better mobile experience.

Wireless security
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The controls protecting Wi-Fi networks and connected devices from unauthorized access, eavesdropping, and rogue access points. Wireless security relies on strong encryption standards like WPA3, certificate-based authentication, and ongoing monitoring of the airspace.

Work factor
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The estimated effort, time, and resources an adversary requires to overcome a security control. Work factor calculations guide security investment by ensuring controls impose costs exceeding potential gains.

Worm
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Self-replicating malware that propagates independently across networks without requiring host files or user interaction. Worms exploit network vulnerabilities to spread automatically, consuming bandwidth and system resources while potentially delivering additional malicious payloads.

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