Editing Secure channel (section)

{{Short description|Means of data transmission that is resistant to overhearing}}
{{For|the Microsoft Windows API|Security Support Provider Interface#Providers}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2008}}

In [[cryptography]], a '''secure channel''' is a means of [[data transmission]] that is resistant to overhearing and tampering. A '''confidential channel''' is a means of data transmission that is resistant to overhearing, or eavesdropping (e.g., reading the content), but not necessarily resistant to tampering (i.e., manipulating the content). An '''authentic channel''' is a means of data transmission that is resistant to tampering but not necessarily resistant to overhearing.

In contrast to a secure channel, an '''insecure channel''' is [[unencrypted]] and may be subject to [[eavesdropping]] and tampering. [[Secure communication]]s are possible over an insecure channel if the content to be communicated is encrypted prior to transmission.