Computer Study Notes: Cybersecurity

Computer Study Notes

Cybersecurity

• Definition: Practices, technologies, and processes designed to protect digital information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
• Threats:
  • Malware (viruses, worms, Trojan horses)
  • Phishing
  • Ransomware
  • SQL injection
  • Cross-site scripting (XSS)
• Security measures:
  • Firewalls
  • Encryption
  • Access control (passwords, biometrics)
  • Regular software updates and patches
  • Backup and recovery systems

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Definition: Development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as:
  • Learning
  • Problem-solving
  • Reasoning
  • Perception
• AI applications:
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP)
  • Computer Vision
  • Robotics
  • Expert Systems
  • Game Playing (e.g., chess, Go)
• AI types:
  • Narrow or Weak AI (task-specific)
  • General or Strong AI (human-like intelligence)
  • Superintelligence (significantly surpassing human intelligence)

Networking

• Definition: Connection of devices to exchange data, resources, and services.
• Network types:
  • Local Area Network (LAN)
  • Wide Area Network (WAN)
  • Wireless Network (WLAN)
  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN)
  • Internet
• Network protocols:
  • TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
  • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol)
  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
  • DNS (Domain Name System)

Hardware

• Definition: Physical components of a computer system.
• Hardware components:
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
  • Memory (RAM)
  • Storage (HDD, SSD, flash drives)
  • Input/Output devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor)
  • Graphics Card
  • Motherboard
• Hardware types:
  • Desktops
  • Laptops
  • Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets)
  • Servers
  • Embedded systems (e.g., appliances, robots)

Software

• Definition: Programs and operating systems that manage computer hardware components and provide services to users.
• Software types:
  • Operating System (OS)
  • Application software (productivity, games, utilities)
  • Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
  • Firmware (embedded software)
• Software development:
  • Design
  • Implementation
  • Testing
  • Deployment
  • Maintenance

Computer Study Notes

Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity is a set of practices, technologies, and processes designed to protect digital information and systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.
• Common threats to cybersecurity include:
  • Malware (viruses, worms, Trojan horses) that compromise system integrity
  • Phishing attacks that deceive users into divulging sensitive information
  • Ransomware that encrypts data and demands payment for decryption
  • SQL injection attacks that exploit database vulnerabilities
  • Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks that inject malicious scripts into websites
• To mitigate these threats, various security measures can be employed, including:
  • Firewalls that block unauthorized access to networks
  • Encryption that protects data in transit and at rest
  • Access control mechanisms, such as passwords and biometrics, that authenticate user identities
  • Regular software updates and patches that fix vulnerabilities and improve system resilience
  • Backup and recovery systems that ensure business continuity in the event of data loss or system failure

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a field of study focused on developing computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as:
  • Learning from data and experiences
  • Problem-solving and decision-making
  • Reasoning and inference
  • Perception and understanding of the environment
• AI has numerous applications, including:
  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) that enables computers to understand and generate human language
  • Computer Vision that enables computers to interpret and understand visual data from images and videos
  • Robotics that enables robots to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence
  • Expert Systems that mimic human expertise in specific domains
  • Game Playing that enables computers to compete with humans in complex games like chess and Go
• There are several types of AI, including:
  • Narrow or Weak AI that is designed to perform a specific task
  • General or Strong AI that has human-like intelligence and can perform any intellectual task
  • Superintelligence that significantly surpasses human intelligence

Networking

• A computer network is a connection of devices that communicate with each other to exchange data, resources, and services.
• There are several types of networks, including:
  • Local Area Network (LAN) that connects devices in a limited geographical area
  • Wide Area Network (WAN) that connects devices over a larger geographical area
  • Wireless Network (WLAN) that connects devices wirelessly
  • Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) that connects devices in a metropolitan area
  • Internet that connects devices worldwide
• Networks use various protocols to communicate, including:
  • TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) that provides a common language for devices to communicate
  • HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) that enables communication between web browsers and servers
  • FTP (File Transfer Protocol) that enables file transfer between devices
  • DNS (Domain Name System) that translates domain names to IP addresses

Hardware

• Computer hardware refers to the physical components of a computer system.
• The main components of a computer system include:
  • Central Processing Unit (CPU) that executes instructions and performs calculations
  • Memory (RAM) that temporarily stores data and program instructions
  • Storage (HDD, SSD, flash drives) that permanently stores data and programs
  • Input/Output devices (keyboard, mouse, monitor) that enable user interaction
  • Graphics Card that controls graphics output
  • Motherboard that connects hardware components
• There are several types of computer hardware, including:
  • Desktops that are designed for personal use
  • Laptops that are designed for portability
  • Mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) that are designed for mobility
  • Servers that are designed for high-performance computing and data storage
  • Embedded systems (e.g., appliances, robots) that are designed for specific tasks

Software

• Computer software refers to the programs and operating systems that manage computer hardware components and provide services to users.
• There are several types of software, including:
  • Operating System (OS) that manages hardware components and provides a platform for running applications
  • Application software (productivity, games, utilities) that performs specific tasks
  • Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++) that enable software development
  • Firmware (embedded software) that is embedded in hardware devices
• The software development life cycle includes:
  • Design that involves planning and specifying software requirements
  • Implementation that involves writing code and testing software
  • Testing that involves verifying software functionality and performance
  • Deployment that involves releasing software to users
  • Maintenance that involves updating and fixing software issues