Intro to Information Technology 500 Scope PDF

DIGITAL STORAGE A storage medium, also called secondary storage, is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, information, programs, and applications. Examples: Hard Disks Memory cards USB flash drives Another storage option is cloud storage, which keeps information...

DIGITAL STORAGE A storage medium, also called secondary storage, is the physical material on which a computer keeps data, information, programs, and applications. Examples: Hard Disks Memory cards USB flash drives Another storage option is cloud storage, which keeps information on servers on the Internet. Many users store digital photos, appointments, schedules, contacts, email messages, and tax records. A storage device is the hardware that records and/or retrieves items to and from storage media. Writing is the process of transferring data, instructions, and information from memory to a storage medium. Reading is the process of transferring these items from a storage medium into memory. Storage versus Memory: Storage refers to the components of a computer or device that retain data and files over the long term, even when the device is powered off. Memory is a type of computer hardware that temporarily holds data and instructions that the CPU (Central Processing Unit) needs while performing tasks. Items on a storage medium remain intact even when you turn off a computer or mobile device. Thus, a storage medium is non-volatile. Most memory (i.e., RAM), by contrast, holds data and instructions temporarily and, thus, is volatile. Storage Access Times: The speed of storage devices and memory is defined by access time. Access time measures: The amount of time it takes a storage device to locate an item on a storage medium. The time required to deliver an item from memory to the processor. TYPES OF MALWARES Malware, short for malicious software, consists of programs that act without a user’s knowledge and deliberately alter the operations of computers and mobile devices. Viruses: A type of malware that attaches itself to legitimate programs or files and spreads when those programs are executed, or files are shared. Often corrupts or modifies files and can replicate itself. Requires user action to spread. Worms: A standalone malware that replicates itself to spread to other computers, often through networks. Does not require user intervention to spread and can cause harm by consuming bandwidth and overloading systems. Trojans: Malware disguised as legitimate software. Users are tricked into installing it, believing it to be harmless. Once installed, Trojans can create backdoors, steal data, or download additional malicious software. Ransomware: A type of malware that encrypts the victim's files or locks them out of their system, demanding a ransom for restoration. Often spreads through phishing emails or malicious downloads. Can cause significant financial and operational damage. CYBERCRIME Any illegal act involving the use of a computer, or related devices generally is referred to as a computer crime. Online or Internet-based illegal acts: Distributing malicious software committing identity theft. Software used by cybercriminals sometimes is called crimeware. Hacking: Unauthorized access to computer systems or networks to steal, manipulate, or destroy data. Phishing: A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy entity in electronic communication. Identity Theft: The unauthorized use of someone else's personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. Cyber terrorist: A cyber terrorist is an individual or group that engages in cyber terrorism—using digital technologies and the internet to conduct politically motivated attacks aimed at causing harm, disruption, or fear. STORAGE TECHNOLOGIES HDs: A hard disk, also called a hard disk drive (HDD), is a storage device that contains one or more inflexible, circular platters that use magnetic particles to store data, instructions, and information. Hard drives can be internal or external. That is, they can reside inside a computer or mobile device, or they can be an external device that connects to a computer or some mobile devices. Characteristics of a Hard Disk: Longitudinal recording aligns the magnetic particles horizontally around the surface of the disk. Perpendicular recording, by contrast, hard disks align the magnetic particles vertically or perpendicular to the disk’s surface, making much greater storage capacities possible Density is the number of bits in an area on a storage medium. A higher density means more storage capacity. SSDs: An SSD (solid-state drive) is a flash memory storage device that contains its own processor to manage its storage. SSDs have several advantages over traditional (magnetic) hard disks:  Faster access times (can be more than 100 times faster). More durable Quieter operation Faster transfer rates Cloud storage: Cloud storage is an Internet service that provides storage to computer or mobile device users. Advantages of cloud storage: Users can access files on the Internet from any computer or device that has Internet access. Users can store off-site backups of data. Cloud storage can provide data centre functions, relieving enterprises of this task. To store large audio, video, and graphics files on the Internet instantaneously, instead of spending time downloading to a local hard drive or other media. Disadvantages of Cloud Storage: Internet Dependency: Requires a reliable internet connection for access. Limited Control: Users have less control over their data and the infrastructure. Security Risks: Potential for data breaches or unauthorized access. Ongoing Costs: Subscription fees can accumulate over time. Types of Cloud Storage: Community Cloud Hybrid Cloud Public Cloud Private Cloud