Information, Computer and Network Security Terms Glossary and Dictionary

NFS and NIS Attacks

Network File System (NFS) allows a computer on a network to use the files and peripherals of another networked computer as if they were local. NIS maintains a distributed database of password tables, group files, host tables, and other information that systems on a network can share. An attacker may be able to NFS-mount your filesystems. Client machines are allowed to read and change files stored on the server without logging into the server or entering a password. An attacker who can guess the name of your NIS domain and can send a NIS request to the NIS server can get a copy of your password information.

Related Terms

NFS and NIS Attacks