Intrusion Countermeasure Electronics

security, jargon (ICE) A contrived acronym for security

software, coined by Usenetter Tom Maddox and popularised by

William Gibson's cyberpunk SF novels. In Gibson's novels

ICE software responds to intrusion by attempting to literally

kill the intruder.

The term is not in serious use as of 2000 apart from the

commercial software product, BlackICE and a growing number

of others.

See also: icebreaker.

[Jargon File]

(2000-03-18)