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Protocols and Their Problems
A protocol is an exact series of steps, between two or more parties, to achieve an end goal.
It should never be possible to achieve more, or learn more than is specified in the protocol. If it is possible, a design error is present in the protocol.
Attacks can be active or passive, or can involve cheating.
Notes:
Passive attacks, such as eavesdropping attempt to gain knowledge a party should not have. Active attacks could involve breaking to the “rules” of the protocol or attacks that disrupt the protocol. Cheating is difficult to prevent if many or all participants are allowed to cheat, but some well-designed protocols can at least detect that someone cheated and let those involve know.