[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

A backdoor in a computer system (or cryptosystem or algorithm) is a method of bypassing normal authentication, securing illegal remote access to a computer, obtaining access to plaintext, and so on, while attempting to remain undetected. The backdoor may take the form of an installed program (e.g., Back Orifice) or may subvert the system through a rootkit.

(Note: I found this on Wikipedia and don't understand it either.

Probably the simplest application and/or explanation of the term "back door" is to have a confidential master password to enter a large computer system where many passwords with individually differing access capabilities have been issued. The master password I'm referring to is privy to only administrators on a need to have basis so they can access all restricted and unrestricted areas and functions of the computers various systems and data bases.

There was one incident where I became involved with a back door password during my career with the NYS DMV. In my early years I was a computer operator before moving on to an issuing office supervisor. Most data processing personnel knew me for quite some time after I left, and they had a sense of trust in my having been one of them.

One day it was imperative that something get fixed and had to be done quickly. No administrators were at my location to do the fix, so the data processing administrator decided to give my the backdoor password so I could get in to make the fix (under his guidance) that they couldn't do remotely. The fix was quickly made and a lot of inconvenience to the public was averted.

Unfortunately, the administrator that decided to trust me was later reprimanded by upper management for compromising the confidential password. They then had to go through whatever process was necessary to replace the master back door password. Guess the uppity uppers didn't trust me as much as the one I was working with did!