Secure channel

In cryptography, a secure channel is a way of transferring data that is very difficult (termed: "resistant") to overhear or copy (termed: "interception") and understand (termed): "decrypt") or change (termed: "tampering").

A confidential channel is a way of transferring data that is resistant to interception, but not necessarily resistant to tampering nor necessarily resistant to impersonation by someone else (termed: "spoofing").

An authenticatable channel is a way of transferring data that is resistant to spoofing but not necessarily resistant to interception or tampering.