Asterisk
Like the hyphen, the asterisk is an ancient, multi-purpose typographical symbol used in science and literature. Its many uses include being a multiplication symbol, a reference mark for a footnote, a wildcard, a symbol denoting emphasis, a mask for keyed-in passwords, bullet points, or simply decoration.
Like the Christian cross, the asterisk means whatever we want it to mean.
Asterisk
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An asterisk, the typographical symbol also known as a 'star', commonly has five or six points, according to country and font. The arms may be rectangular with straight edges, pattéed with straight or curved edges, or bulbous. (The font used by your Internet browser determines the number of 'points' and the arm shapes displayed in the asterisk shown on the left.)
Where there are six points, this is usually a St. Andrew's Cross with a vertical bar - similar to the Star of Life - and frequently seen on a PC keyboard. As a special-purpose key on a telephone keypad, the bar is usually horizontal.
'Courier' font typically seen on a PC screen
Typically seen on a PC keyboard
Typically seen on a telephone keypad
Why the asterisk on the PC keyboard differs from the asterisk on the telephone keypad, is one of life's deep mysteries.
See also 
Iota Chi and 
Star of Life
