1) In information technology, a product or system is described as open when its workings are exposed to the public and capable of being modified or improved by anyone. The alternative is a proprietary product or system. Also see open source.
2) In programming, to open (verb) a file or unit of data is to make it accessible for reading and writing. An open file is one that is ready to be read or written to.
This was last updated in June 1997
Dig Deeper
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Backing up to local disk or tape can protect against the accidental destruction of a file but will do nothing to protect you when your facility suffers fire or flooding. Remote backup provides a better solution. This tip looks at two possibilities for remote backup: Choosing an outsourced remote backup service, or using software to do your own backups to an offsite facility.
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Learn how attackers are using the widespread deployment of low-cost VoIP to leverage phishing attacks.
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Is the government listening to your VoIP traffic? Can other companies spy on your WAN? It may sound like a paranoid conspiracy theory, but it's not that far out, technologically speaking. In this tip, Tom Lancaster looks at just how exposed your WAN traffic may be.
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