TOFU

Definitions

1. Short for Trust On First Use, a security model where a key or identity is accepted the first time it is seen and treated as trusted afterward unless it changes. It is common in tools like SSH and illustrates a pragmatic compromise between usability and stronger verification.

   In plain English: A security approach where you trust something the first time you see it and watch for changes later.

   Example: "SSH host keys rely on TOFU unless you distribute them through some other trusted channel first."

Related Terms

• VPC Peering
• Packet Capture
• Packet Sniffing
• Proxy Chain
• Telemetry Security
• VPN Split Tunneling
• VPN Tunnel
• RCE Bounty
• Two-Factor Fatigue
• Zero Day Exploit Culture
• Suricata
• Identity Proofing