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SynAc
Term

active content

Electronic documents that can carry out or trigger actions automatically on a computer platform without the intervention of a user.

Senses

Sense 1

Electronic documents that can carry out or trigger actions automatically on a computer platform without the intervention of a user.

References
  • NIST CSRC GlossaryJan 05, 2026
    active content
    https://csrc.nist.gov/glossary/term/active_content
    NIST states most site information is public information and may be distributed or copied, except material marked as copyrighted; attribution requested. Verify per-document markings before quoting.
    Source: NIST CSRC Glossary (csrc.nist.gov).
Sense 2

Software that is able to automatically carry out or trigger actions without the explicit intervention of a user.

References
  • NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity VocabularyJan 06, 2026
    NICCS glossary export (CSV)
    https://niccs.cisa.gov/rest/vocab/export-csv
    NICCS is a CISA (DHS) program. Individual glossary entries include a "From" attribution (e.g., CNSSI 4009, NIST SPs, NICE Framework). Treat "From" values as upstream provenance and verify before quoting large portions of text.
    Source: NICCS (CISA) Cybersecurity Vocabulary (niccs.cisa.gov).
1a (I)

Executable software that is bound to a document or other data file and that executes automatically when a user accesses the file, without explicit initiation by the user. (Compare: mobile code.)

Tutorial: Active content can be mobile code when its associated file is transferred across a network.

References
  • IETF RFC 4949 (Internet Security Glossary)Jan 06, 2026
    RFC 4949 — Internet Security Glossary (Version 2)
    https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4949.txt
    RFC 4949 is published by the IETF Trust and marked as "Distribution of this memo is unlimited". Verify IETF Trust copyright/licensing terms for reuse.
    Source: IETF RFC 4949 (rfc-editor.org).
1b (O)

"Electronic documents that can carry out or trigger actions automatically on a computer platform without the intervention of a user. [This technology enables] mobile code associated with a document to execute as the document is rendered." [SP28]

References
  • IETF RFC 4949 (Internet Security Glossary)Jan 06, 2026
    RFC 4949 — Internet Security Glossary (Version 2)
    https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc4949.txt
    RFC 4949 is published by the IETF Trust and marked as "Distribution of this memo is unlimited". Verify IETF Trust copyright/licensing terms for reuse.
    Source: IETF RFC 4949 (rfc-editor.org).