Did gummy bears breach security or breech it?

Ivy Wigmore — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 13:50:48 +0000

Which is correct?
When schools implemented fingerprint scanners for sign-ins, media reported that students could exploit gummy bears to ______ system security.
a. breach
b. breech

Answer: a.

Explanation:

A breach is a break, in this context — note the similar spelling. Breeches, as we’ve noted before, are pants.

This post is based on an odd but true story: After some Australian schools installed fingerprint scanners, ZDNet Australia and other media reported that students could breach the devices’ security by impressing their fingerprints into gummy bears and then getting pals to sign them in by sticking the candies over their own fingers. As Bruce Shneier suggested, it would be easy enough to destroy the evidence — just eat it.

Writing for business — breach or breech?

Ivy Wigmore — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:20:04 +0000

Which is correct?
Many organizations don’t give encryption a thought until they suffer a data _______.
a. breach
b. breech

Answer: a
A breach is a break; a breech is the rear part of something, such as where bullets are loaded in the barrel of a gun. Here’s an easy way to remember this one: Breach is the word break, substituting ch for k.

Breeches, of course, is also another word for pants. And security breeches would be something altogether different.

Writing for Business - A Whatis.com Blog » breach/breech

Did gummy bears breach security or breech it?

Writing for business — breach or breech?