What technique involves sending messages with a forged IP address to gain unauthorized access to a computer?

The technique that involves sending messages with a forged IP address to gain unauthorized access to a computer is referred to as spoofing. In this context, spoofing is a method used to disguise a communication from an unknown source as being from a known, trusted source. By manipulating the packet headers to include a false IP address, the attacker can mislead the targeted system into thinking that the communication is legitimate, allowing them to gain unauthorized access or perform malicious activities.

This tactic can be particularly dangerous as it may bypass security measures that rely on IP address verification. Spoofing is often used in more complex attacks, such as Man-in-the-Middle attacks, where the attacker can intercept and alter communications between two parties without their knowledge.

Understanding spoofing is crucial for recognizing potential security vulnerabilities and implementing appropriate countermeasures, such as packet filtering and enhanced verification mechanisms, to protect against unauthorized access.