Computer Security Basics

Computer Security

• Black hat hackers: Engage in malicious activities, often for personal gain or causing damage.
• White hat hackers: Ethical hackers who use their skills to identify and fix security vulnerabilities.
• Confidentiality: Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. Tools to ensure confidentiality include encryption, access controls, and data masking.
• Cookies: Small text files stored on a user's computer by a website to remember preferences or track user activity.
• DDoS (Distributed Denial-of-Service): An attack floods a target server with traffic, making it unavailable.
• Firewall: A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.
• Integrity: Maintaining the accuracy and completeness of data. Measured by comparing data against a known baseline.
• Malware: Malicious software designed to harm, disrupt, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
• Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): Security measure requiring two or more independent methods to verify user identity (e.g., password, token).
• Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information (e.g., usernames, passwords) by disguising as a trustworthy entity.
• Ransomware: Malware that encrypts a victim's files, demanding payment for decryption.
• Trojan: Malicious software disguised as legitimate software.
• UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) and Surge Protectors: Protect computer equipment from power fluctuations and surges.

Social Media and Your Digital Identity

• Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Formal guidelines outlining acceptable online behavior and restrictions.
• BitTorrent: File-sharing protocol enabling peer-to-peer data transfer.
• Copyright: Legal right granted to the creator of original work, giving exclusive rights to use, distribute, and reproduce the work.
• Creative Commons: Legal framework for copyright holders to allow others to use their work under specific conditions.
• E-Commerce: Buying and selling goods or services online.
• E-Commerce Categories: Business-to-consumer (B2C), business-to-business (B2B), consumer-to-consumer (C2C).
• Ergonomics: Design of workplace and tools to promote user safety and comfort.
• Ethical issues with social media: Responsibility on social media – do not post sensitive information. Leaving digital footprints; be mindful of content, consequences, and reputation.
• LinkedIn: Professional networking platform.
• Netiquette: Online etiquette and good practices.
• Piracy (Software/Internet): Illegal copying or distribution of software or copyrighted material.
• Social Media: Platforms enabling social interaction and information sharing.

Computers in Business

• Business Email Etiquette: Professional standards for email communication in the workplace.
• Cryptocurrency: Digital or virtual currency that uses cryptography for security.
• Employee Monitoring Software: Tools to track employee activities and productivity.
• IoT (Internet of Things): Network of physical devices connected to the internet.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Technology establishing a secure connection to a private network over a public network.

Emerging Technologies 2022

• Augmented Reality (AR): Technology overlays virtual information onto the real world.
• Virtual Reality (VR): Technology that creates a completely immersive simulated environment.

Computer Software and Buying a Computer

• Linux: An open-source operating system known for its flexibility and customization.
• Open Source: Software with its source code made publicly available, allowing anyone to modify and distribute it.
• Operating System (OS): Software that manages computer hardware and software resources.
• Software License: Agreement determining user rights to use software.
• Spreadsheet: Software for organizing and calculating data in rows and columns, often used in financial or business data.

Programming

• Algorithm: A set of step-by-step instructions to solve a specific problem.
• Compiler: Translates human-readable code into machine-executable code.
• Debugging: Identifying and fixing errors in code.
• Common Programming Languages: Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, etc.

File Management

• File vs. Folder: Files contain data, and folders store files.
• File Compression: Reducing the size of files to save storage space.
• Cloud Storage Services: Examples include Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud.

Mobile Devices

• Android: One of the operating systems for smartphones and other mobile devices.
• iOS: Mobile operating system designed by Apple.
• Mobile App Data Usage: Apps often use significantly different amounts of data.
• SMS (Short Message Service): A method of sending text messages.
• Tethering: Sharing a mobile device's internet connection to other devices.

Computer Hardware

• Bluetooth: Wireless technology allowing devices to communicate.
• CPU (Central Processing Unit): Hardware responsible for executing instructions.
• Desktop Computer: A personal computer designed for a desk environment.
• Hardware: Physical components of a computer.
• RAM (Random Access Memory): Volatile memory storing data accessed by the CPU.
• Server: A computer dedicated to managing network resources or providing services.
• Supercomputer: A computer with advanced processing capabilities.
• USB (Universal Serial Bus): Standard for connecting devices to computers.

Computer Input

• Biometrics: Identifying individuals based on unique physical characteristics (e.g., fingerprints, retina scans).
• Input: Data or instructions entered into a computer system.
• NFC (Near-Field Communication): Wireless technology enabling short-range communication between devices.

Computer Output

• 3D Printing/3D Printer: A method of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital design.
• Monitor Resolution: The number of pixels displayed on a screen.

Computer Storage

• Bit vs. Byte: Bit is a binary digit (0 or 1), while a byte is 8 bits.
• Kilo, Mega, Giga, and Terabyte: Units of measurement for storage capacity (KB, MB, GB, TB).
• Cloud Storage: Online storage space for digital files.
• SSD (Solid State Drive): Non-mechanical storage device.

Networking and Connecting to the Internet

• Bandwidth: The amount of data transmitted over a network in a given time.
• Broadband: High-speed internet connection.
• Cloud Computing: Using remote servers accessed over the internet.
• Cloud Computing Benefits: Scalability, flexibility, cost-effectiveness.
• Common Web Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
• Domain Name: Unique name identifying a website.
• ISP (Internet Service Provider): Company providing internet access.
• Network: Interconnected computers and devices.
• Router: Device directing network traffic.
• Streaming: Delivery of media content over the internet.
• URL (Uniform Resource Locator): Address of a resource on the internet with scheme, hostname, and path.

Internet Research

• Advanced Search Tools: Using specific search operators.
• Credible vs. Noncredible Sources: Evaluating the trustworthiness and validity of information.

Databases

• Big Data: Extremely large data sets.
• DBMS (Database Management System): Software to manage databases.
• Database: Organized collection of data.
• Database Elements - Query: Instructions to retrieve data from a database.
• Database Elements - Table: Data organized in rows and columns.
• Database Elements - Primary Key: Unique identifier for each row in a table.

Data Analytics

• Data Analytics: Process of examining raw data to draw conclusions.
• Data Visualization: Presenting data in graphical form.
• Data Anonymization and PII (Personally Identifiable Information): Protecting sensitive data by removing identifying information.

Artificial Intelligence

• AI (Simplified Definition): Ability of a computer to mimic human intelligence.
• Machine Learning vs. Deep Learning: Machine learning uses algorithms to learn from data, while deep learning uses artificial neural networks.
• Positive Outcomes of AI: Automation, efficiency, problem-solving.
• Potential Drawbacks of AI: Job displacement, bias, ethical concerns.

Test your knowledge on the fundamentals of computer security, including the roles of different types of hackers, the importance of confidentiality, and various security measures like firewalls and encryption. This quiz covers key concepts such as malware, DDoS attacks, and data integrity.