What term refers to a random or pseudo-random number used just once in a cryptographic communication?

The term that refers to a random or pseudo-random number used just once in a cryptographic communication is known as a nonce. In cryptography, a nonce is critical for ensuring that certain operations, such as authentication or encryption, can be performed securely by preventing replay attacks. By using a unique value for each session or transaction, the nonce helps guarantee that even if the same message is sent multiple times, the output will be different each time due to the unique nonce, thus maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of the communication.

On the other hand, salt refers to a random value added to passwords before hashing, primarily used to protect against pre-computed attacks like rainbow tables. An initialization vector (IV) is similar in that it's also a random value used in conjunction with cryptographic algorithms, but it typically has a role in block cipher modes to add randomness to the encryption process rather than being unique for each transaction. A token usually represents an authorization credential or a key to perform certain operations, but it does not necessarily imply randomness and is not solely used in the context of one-time use.

Therefore, nonce stands out in the context of cryptographic communication as the term specifically describing a one-time random value, fulfilling its role in enhancing security against various types of