Emp.Tech 1st Semester

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering foundational terms from the Empowerment Technology lecture, including ICT concepts, Internet history, web evolution, social media, netiquette and online safety.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

An umbrella term for hardware and software that enable access, storage, transmission and manipulation of information.

Hardware (ICT context)

Physical components such as radios, televisions, phones, desktop computers, laptops and network devices used for communication.

Software (ICT context)

Applications and platforms that let users access, store, transmit and manipulate digital information.

Internet

A global network of interconnected computers that use standardized protocols to provide information and communication services; first introduced in 1974.

World Wide Web (WWW)

An information system for sharing content over the Internet via web servers and browsers; invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 and opened to the public in 1991.

Web Browser

A software application (e.g., Chrome, Firefox) that retrieves and displays resources on the World Wide Web.

Web 1.0

The early ‘read-only’ web characterized by static, unmodifiable pages with identical content for all users.

Static Webpage

A ‘flat’ or stationary page whose content cannot be changed by the visitor and remains the same for all users.

Web 2.0

The ‘read-write’ web featuring dynamic pages, user interaction, social media and web-based applications; term popularized by Tim O’Reilly.

Dynamic Webpage

A page whose content can change in response to user actions, database queries or other variables.

Web 3.0

The ‘portable personal’ or semantic web that enables data to be shared and reused across applications through smarter, machine-interpretable content.

Semantic Web

A framework within Web 3.0 that structures and links data so it can be understood and processed by machines as well as humans.

Social Media

Web 2.0 services whose backbone is user-generated content and social networks (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).

Netiquette

A set of guidelines for proper and respectful behavior in online communication environments.

Firewall

Software or hardware that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Virus

Malicious code that attaches to legitimate programs and replicates to spread and damage or alter data.

Worm

Self-replicating malware that spreads across networks without needing to attach to a host file.

Trojan Horse (Trojan)

Malware disguised as legitimate software that, once executed, performs harmful actions without the user’s knowledge.

Ransomware

Malware that encrypts a victim’s data and demands payment for decryption.

Spyware

Software that secretly gathers user information and sends it to a third party without consent.

Adware

Software that automatically displays or downloads unwanted advertising material when a user is online.

Bots

Automated programs that can perform tasks such as spamming or launching attacks, often as part of a botnet.

Malware

An umbrella term for malicious software, including viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, spyware and adware.

Two-Step Verification (2-Step Verification)

A security process requiring a password plus a second factor—such as a code sent to a phone—to access an account.

Strong Password

A complex password that combines upper- and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols to resist guessing or brute-force attacks.

Account Recovery Option

An alternative email address or phone number used to regain access if an account password is forgotten or compromised.

Operating System Update

A vendor-provided upgrade that patches security vulnerabilities and improves system performance and features.

User-Generated Content

Material—text, images, videos—created and posted by users rather than by site owners or professionals.

Tagging (Folksonomy)

A Web 2.0 practice where users assign keywords to content for easier search and organization.

Tim Berners-Lee

Computer scientist who invented the World Wide Web in 1989.