CIE IGCSE Info & Comm. Tech. Flashcards

These flashcards cover key concepts and terminology from the CIE IGCSE Information and Communication Technology syllabus.

Hardware

Tangible physical components of a computer system that can be touched, such as processors, RAM, and monitors.

Software

Programs that control computer systems and provide a set of instructions for hardware to execute.

CPU

Central Processing Unit, the primary component responsible for processing instructions in a computer.

RAM

Random Access Memory, temporary storage that holds data and program instructions currently in use.

ROM

Read Only Memory, permanent storage that holds critical data such as the BIOS.

Input Device

Equipment used to provide data to a computer system, e.g., keyboard and mouse.

Output Device

Equipment that presents data to the user, e.g., monitor and printer.

Operating System

System software that manages computer hardware and provides an environment for applications to run.

CLI

Command Line Interface, a text-based method of interacting with a computer.

GUI

Graphical User Interface, a visual way of interacting with a computer using windows and icons.

Desktop Computer

A general-purpose computer designed to be used at a desk, consisting of separate components.

Laptop Computer

A portable computer that integrates the display, keyboard, and processing unit into a single unit.

Microprocessor

A single integrated circuit that contains the CPU.

AI

Artificial Intelligence, technology designed to simulate human intelligence.

Biometrics

Authentication techniques that measure unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints or iris patterns.

Data Encryption

The process of converting information into a secure format that cannot be easily understood without the correct key.

Phishing

A fraudulent attempt to obtain sensitive information by disguising as a trustworthy source.

Firewall

A security system that controls incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules.

Network Interface Card (NIC)

Hardware that connects a computer to a network.

HTTP

HyperText Transfer Protocol, a protocol used for transmitting data over the World Wide Web.

HTTPS

HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure, an extension of HTTP that provides secure communication over a computer network.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator, the address used to access resources on the internet.

Cloud Storage

A model of computer data storage in which digital data is stored in logical pools, the physical storage spans multiple servers.

Spam

Unsolicited or unwanted emails, often sent in bulk for advertising purposes.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR)

Technology that converts different types of documents, such as scanned paper documents, into editable and searchable data.

User Authentication

The process of verifying the identity of a user before granting access to a system.