Computer Fundamentals Summary PDF

## Hardware - **The physical parts of a computer** - **Devices** - **Definition** - **Example** - **Input** - Used to input data into the computer - Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras - **Output** - Present results to the user - Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors...

## Hardware - **The physical parts of a computer** - **Devices** - **Definition** - **Example** - **Input** - Used to input data into the computer - Keyboards, mice, scanners, cameras - **Output** - Present results to the user - Monitors, printers, speakers, projectors - **Storage** - Used to store data - Hard drives, CD/DVD, USB flash drives - **Processing** - Perform calculation and control operation - Central processing unit (CPU) and memory - **Communications** - Allow users to communicate with others - Modems, network adapters ## Software - **Programs or instructions used to tell the computer hardware what to do.** - **Type** - **Definition** - **Examples** - **System software** - Operating system starts up the computer, controls its operation and launches programs - Windows, Mac OS, Linux, - **Application software** - Performs specific tasks or applications - Creating letters, Playing games, Viewing Web pages, Sending and receiving e-mail ## Computer Users and Professionals - **Computer users (end users):** People who use a computer to obtain information - **Computer professionals include:** Programmers, Systems analysts, Security specialists ## Computer Categories - **Six basic categories of computers** - **Embedded** - Embedded into a product and designed to perform specific tasks or functions - Household appliances Sewing machine, Cars - **Mobile device** - Very small device with Internet capability - Smart phonegaming device - **Personal** - Small computer designed to be used by one person a time. - **Desktop computers:** Fit on or next to a desk, use tower case - **Portable Computers:** are fully functioning computers example - Notebook (laptop), Tablet, - **Midrange** - Called medium-sized computer used to host programs - Servers minicomputer - **Mainframe** - Powerful computer used by several large organizations to manage large amounts of centralized data - Hospitals, universities, banks, government offices - **Supercomputer** - Larger, more expensive, and more powerful than servers. Fastest, most expensive, most powerful type of computer. - Space exploration, satellite, weather forecast, oil exploration, scientific research ## Computer Networks and The Internet - **Computer network** - Collection of computers and other devices that are connected together - **Internet** - Largest and most well-known computer network in the world. It is technically a network of networks - **WorldWide Web (WWW)** - Collection of Web pages available through the Internet. - **Web page** - Document, typically containing hyperlinks to other documents. - **Web site:** Collection of related Web pages usually belonging to an organization or individual. - **Web server** - Computer that is continually connected to the Internet and hosts Web pages - **Web browser** - Program used to view Web pages ## The System Unit: Processing and Memory. <start_of_image> Privacy - **State of being concealed or free from unauthorized intrusion** - **Information privacy** - Rights of individuals and companies to control how information about them is collected and used. ## Intellectual Property Rights - **Legal rights to which creators of original creative works (such as artistic or literary works, such as an IP address, domain name, or e-mail address.)** - **Copyright** - Legal right to sell, publish, or distribute an original artistic or literary work - **Digital watermark** - Subtle alteration of digital content that is not noticeable when the work is viewed or played - **Trademark** - Word, phrase, symbol, or design that identifies goods or services - **Patent** - Form of protection for an invention that can be granted by the government. ## Ethics - **Overall standards of moral conduct.** - **Computer ethics:** Standards of moral conduct as they relate to computer use. - **Business ethics** - Standards of moral conduct that guide a business’s policies, decisions, and actions. - **Plagiarism** - Presenting someone else’s work as your own. - **Computer hoax** - Inaccurate statement or story spread through the use of computers - **Digital manipulation** - Alteration of digital content, usually text or photographs. ## The Internet - **Internet** - Largest and most well-known computer networkmillions computers all over world. - **ARPANET** - Predecessor to the Internet, named Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). - **World Wide Web (WWW)** - Collection of Web pages available through the Internet. - **Internet service provider (ISP)** - Business or organization that provides Internet access to others, typically for a fee. ## Searching the Internet - **Search site:** Web site designed to help users search for Web pages - **Search engine:** Software program used by a search site to retrieve matching Web pages from a search database. ## Accessing the Internet - **Internet address** - Address that identifies a computer, person, or Web page on the Internet, . - **IP address:** Numeric Internet address used to uniquely identify a computer on the Internet - **Browsers** - Are programs that provide access to web resources. - **Four well-known browsers are:** - Apple Safari - Google Chrome - Microsoft Edge - Mozilla Firefox ## Uniform Resource Locator (URL): - **Internet address** (usually beginning with http://) that uniquely identifies a Web page. - **The location or address of the resources.** ## Top-Level Domain (TLD) - **Domain** - **Type** - .com - Commercial - .edu - Educational - .gov - Government - .mil - U.S. military - .net - Network - .org - Organization ## Uses of Internet: 2S+2E+C - **Communication** - **Shopping** - **Searching** - **Education or Elearning** - **Entertainment** ## Computer Security - **Focuses on protecting information, hardware, and software from unauthorized use as well as preventing damage.** - **Computer security risk** - Any event or action that could cause a loss of or damage to computer hardware. - **Computer Crime** - Any illegal act involving a computer. - **Unauthorized access** - Gaining access to a computer, mobile device, network. - **Unauthorized use** - Using a computing resource for unapproved activities - **Hacking** - Using a computer to break into another computer system. - **Hacker** - Someone who accesses a computer or network illegally. - **denial of service attacks** - An act of sabotage that attempts to flood a network server or a Web server - **back door** - Is a program or set of instructions in a program that allow authorized and unauthorized users to bypass security controls. - **Computer sabotage** - Act of malicious destruction to a computer or computer resource. - **Computer sabotage** - Computer that is controlled by a hacker or other computer criminal. - **Bot** - Group of bots that are controlled by one individual. - **Botnet** - Any type of malicious software - **Computer virus:** A software program installed without the user’s knowledge - **Computer worm** - Malicious program designed to spread rapidly to a large number of computers by sending copies of itself to other computers. - **Trojan horse** - Malicious program that masquerades as something else. ## Protecting Against Computer Sabotage - Do not start computer with removable media. - Never open an e-mail attachment - Install an antivirus program. - Firewall: A collection of hardware and/or software intended to protect a computer - Backup: Is a duplicate of (copy) a file, program, or disk that can be used if original is lost, damaged, or destroyed. - User Names And Passwords: - **User name:** Is a unique combination of characters - **Password:** Is a private (secret) combination of characters - **Encryption:** A method of scrambling the contents of an e-mail message transmitted via that Web page. - **Secure Web page:** A Web page that uses encryption to protect information transmitted via that Web page. - **Public key encryption:** A type of encryption that uses key pairs to encrypt and decrypt the file or message. - **Private key encryption:** A type of encryption that uses a single key to encrypt and decrypt the file or message. - **Antivirus:** Software used to detect and eliminate computer viruses and other types of malware ## Theft of Data, Information. - **Identity theft** - Using someone identity to purchase goods or services, obtain new credit cards or bank loans.. - **Social media hack** - Act of accessing someone social media account to make changes to the content or to perform - **Phishing** - Use of spoofed communications (typically e-mail messages) to gain credit card numbers. - **Pharming** - Use of spoofed domain names to obtain personal information in order to use that information ## Communication - **Exchange e-mail, photos, and videos with your family and friends from almost anywhere in the world** - **E-mail** - Electronic messages sent from one user to another over the Internet or other network - **Messaging** - Text messaging (texting and sms) is process of sending short electronic messages – typically less than 160 characters. - **Instant messaging (im):** Supports live communication between friends. - **Include video conferencing features, file sharing, and remote assistance.** - **Social networking** - Social networks connect individuals to one another. - **Facebook** - **Instagram** - **Twitter** - **Snapchat** - **Linkedin** ## E-learning: - We obtain through the Internet using communication technologies and electronic devices. - E-learning is enabled electronically. Typically is conducted on the Internet. - Students can access their learning materials online at any place and time. ## E-learning Content - **Simple learning resources** - Documents, PowerPoint presentation, Video and audio files. - **Interactive lessons** - Texts, animations, audio and videos. - **Electronic simulations** - Simulate the real world ## Types of E-learning - **The learners and the teacher** - **Example** - **Synchronous E-learning** - Are online and interact at the same time from different locations - Virtual Classroom-Audio and Video Conferencing-Chat-Webinars - **Asynchronous E-learning** - Cannot be online at same time - Email-Blogs-Discussion boards/forums-Pre-recorded videos - **Distance Learning** - Distance learning is when students are separated from teachers and peers. - Do not meet in a classroom but use the internet, e-mail, etc. to have classes. - **Blended Learning** - Combines both traditional (face to face) and online learning together. - Rotation-Flex-Enriched Virtual ## Components of E-learning: 3S + LM - **Students** - **Teachers** - **Technicians** - **Assistants** - **Administrators** - **Learning Management System (LMS):** Is a software application for the administration of e-Learning; ## Advantages of E-learning: 3S+WF - **Saves time.** - **Saves money.** - **Study Where You Want to** - **Less expensive.** - **More available.** - **Full Flexibility** ## Disadvantages of E-learning: 3F + 2S + CD - **Face-to-face communication is lacked.** - **Feedback is limited.** - **Focuses more on theory.** - **Social isolation** - **Self-motivation** - **Cheating is unavoidable** - **Depends on technology a lot** - **Depends** ## E-Commerce - **Doing business transactions over the Internet or similar technology** - **E-commerce** - E-commerce performed via a smartphone or other mobile device. - **E-commerce system** - Collection hardware, software, people used to perform and support e-commerce. - **Near field communications (NFC):** - Short-range wireless technology based on RFID and used to transfer payments. ## E-Commerce - **Advantages For businesses RICH** - **Reduced costs** - **Increased customer satisfaction** - **Customer base** - **Higher sales** - **Advantages For customers 2C+EH** - **Convenience** - **Customized products** - **Easier comparison shopping** - **Higher degree of selection** - **Disadvantages For businesses. RMLH** - **Must have an effective Web site.** - **Lost business** - **Higher rate of fraudulent transactions** - **Recurring threat** - **Disadvantages For customers. 2P +B** - **Potential for fraud** - **Buying goods without seeing** - **Possible expensive returns** ## E-commerce Business Models: - **Description of how an e-commerce company does business, such as the types of buyers and sellers involved.** - **Four main e-commerce business models are:** - **Business to consumer (B2C)** - Business provides goods or services to consumers - **Business to Business (B2B)** - Business provides goods or services to other businesses - **Consumer to Consumer (C2C)** - Consumer provides goods or services to other consumers - **Business to Government (B2G)** - Business provides goods and services to government organizations ## Online Auction Site - Web site where potential buyers bid on an item and, at the end of a set time period, the highest bidder buys(ebay) ## Security Issues - **Secure transactions** - All financial transactions should take place on a secure Web server; - **Secure sensitive documents and files** - Tools such as digital certificates and digital signatures can be used - **Authenticate online business partners** - Sensitive business documents should also be encrypted when sent ## System software - **Programs (operating system and utility) that control your computer and allow you to use it.** - **Serves as the interface between the user, application, and hardware.** - **System software consists of four types of programs:** - **Utilities** - Perform specific tasks related to managing computer resources. - **Antivirus programs** - Also called a utility, is performs specific tasks related to managing computer resources - **Backup programs** - **File compression programs** - **Device drivers** - Are specialized programs that allow particular input or output devices. - **Language translators** - Convert the programming instructions written by programmers into a language - **Operating system (OS)** - Is a collection of programs that manage and coordinate the activities - **Categories of Operating Systems:** - **Stand-alone operating systems** - Embedded are entirely stored within (embedded in) a device, cash registers - **Network operating systems** - Are used to control and coordinate computers that are networked - **Desktop operating systems** - Designed to be installed and control a single computer, windows, mac. - During the 1980 s and early 1990s, DOS (Disk Operating System) was the dominant operating system for microcomputers. DOS traditionally used a command line interface, - **Windows:** Is the most widely used personal computer operating system developed by Microsoft. - **Mac OS:** Designed to run only with Apple computers. - **UNIX:** Designed in the late 1960s to run on minicomputers in network environments - **Linux:** Is an open source operating system that extended one of the UNIX versions. - **Open Source:** Allowed free distribution of the operating system code - **Functions of operating system: SB+4M** - **Security** - **File Management** - **Managing Resources** - **Managing Network** - **Monitoring Resources** - **Booting the Computer** - **Mobile operating systems:** Designed to be used with mobile phones and other mobile devices. - **Android** - Introduced in 2007 It was originally developed by Android Inc. and later purchased by Google. - **iOS. (iPhone OS):** The mobile operating system designed mobile phones and mobile devices in 2007. - **User Interfaces** - **Command-line interface** - User types commands or presses special keys on keyboard to enter data. - **Graphical user interface (GUI):** - User interact with menus and visual images such as buttons ## Network Size and Coverage Area - **Name** - **Definition** - **Examples** - **PANS** - Network that connects two or more of an individual's personal devices - Computer, mobile phone, smart watch,media tablet - **LANS** - Network that covers a small geographical area. - Home, office building, school - **MANS** - Network that covers a metropolitan area. - City or county - **WANS** - Network that covers a large geographical area. (two or more LANS) - Internet - **Intranet** - Private network used by an organization's employees and is set up like the Internet - **Extranet** - Intranet that partially accessible to authorized outsiders. - **VPN** - Private, secure path over the Internet that provides authorized users a secure means via the Internet. ## Networking Media - **Media Types** - **Wired** - Twisted-pair. - Coaxial. - Fiber optic cable. - **Wireless** - Cellular Radio Transmissions - Used with cell phones and are sent and received via cellular (cell) towers. - Microwave - Are high-frequency radio signals can send large data at high speeds long distances. - Satellites - Are space-based devices launched into orbit around the earth - Bluetooth - Is a short-range radio communication short distances of up to 33 feet - Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) - Uses high-frequency radio signals to transmit data. ## Communications Protocols - **Protocol** - Is a set of rules to be followed that determine how devices on a network communicate. - **HTTPS: (hypertext transfer protocol secure).** - **TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/Internet protocol).** - **FTP (File Transfer Protocol).** ## Networking Hardware - **1. Modems** - **Modulation:** - Converting from digital to analog. (MDA) - **Demodulation:** - Converting from analog to digital. (DAD) - **2. Network adapter:** - Network interface, such as an expansion card or external network adapter - **3. Switch** - Device used to connect multiple devices on a single (typically wired) network; - **4. Router:** - Device that connects multiple networks together; routes packets to their next location ## Wired vs. Wireless Networks - **Wired network** - Connection are physically connected (via cabling) - **Wireless network** - Connection are air connected (via radio signals) ## Network Topologies - **Indicates how the devices in the network are arranged.** - **Network** - **Definition** - **If it Fails** - **Star** - Uses a central device (server or a switch) to which all network - Network cannot function - **Bus** - Uses a central cable to which all network devices connect - Network cannot function - **Mesh** - Uses a number of different connections (several possible paths) - Network can still function - **Tree** - Uses a central node - Network cannot function - **Hierarchical** - Central node is connected to two or more subordinate nodes - Network cannot function ## Network Architectures - **Way they are designed to communicate. ** - **Two most common network architectures are:** - **Client-server.** - **Clients** - (Computers that request and utilize network resources) - **Server** - (Computers that are dedicated to processing client requests) - **peer-to-peer (P2P).** - **All the computers on the network at the same functional level** ## Network Size and Coverage Area - **Networks are classified is by the size of their coverage area.** - **Personal Area Network (PAN).** - **Local Area Networks (LANs)** - **Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs)** - **Wide Area Networks (WANs)** - **Intranet.** - **Extranet** - **Virtual private Network (VPN).**