Dictionary of Information Security

firmware computer programs and data stored in hard-

ware—typically in read-only memory (ROM) or

programmable read-only memory (PROM)—such

that the programs and data cannot be dynamically

written or modified during execution of the pro-

grams. An important exception is flash EEPROM

(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only

Memory), which can be rewritten in some circum-

stances. See also BIOS.

FIRST see Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams

flag (1) in data transmission, an indicator, such as a signal,

symbol, character, or digit, used for identification

(2) a variable or quantity that can take one of two

values; a bit, particularly one that is used to indicate

one of two outcomes or is used to control which of

two things is to be done

flame ...