covert channel

noun

A means of transferring information objects between processes that are not supposed to be allowed to communicate according to the security policy.

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Meanings

nouncovert channel (plural covert channels)

plural covert channels

  1. computingA means of transferring information objects between processes that are not supposed to be allowed to communicate according to the security policy.

Origin

The term was introduced in 1973 by Butler Lampson.

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Cite this entry
APA

covert channel. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/covert%20channel

MLA

“covert channel.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/covert%20channel. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “covert channel,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/covert%20channel.

Source: covert channel on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.