Networks and the internet

Bandwidth

The maximum theoretical rate that data can be sent over a network connection

Bluetooth

a wireless technology for communication between devices that are near each other

caching

the process of storing images or other data on a user’s computer to increase download speed

circuit switching

a computer networking method that uses a dedicated and private wire

client

any one of the devices that is part of a network

data

any information that a computer can store or transmit (e.g., numbers, letters, or symbols)

Domain Name System

a server that matches an IP address to the domain name (DNS)

ethernet

a commonplace computer networking protocol used for local area networks (LANs) that use cables to connect computers and servers

firewall

a security tool designed to block unauthorized access to a network while allowing data to flow out to the internet

Internet Protocol

the principle communication protocol for the internet; provides the basis for IP addresses to communicate with one another (IP)

Internet Protocol Address

the numerical address associated with every website (IP address)

internet service provider

a company or organization that provides access to the internet (ISP)

intranet

a website only available on an internal network

load

the amount of data being requested by a network, either download or upload; also used for the act of downloading web pages and files

Local Area Network

a group of computers that share communication lines (LAN)

message switching

a computer networking method that requires you to pass your message along several different stops

modem

a network device that passes data between a local network to the internet

network

a group of interconnected computers or other devices

Network Interface Card

the hardware component that connects a device to the network (NIC)

packet

encapsulated data that can be delivered over a network

pixel

a small square of a single color; digital images are formed of pixels

protocol

a set of rules

router

a device that receives and sends data between devices within a network

routing

the selection of the path that data takes from transmitter to receiver

server

a computer or program that controls access to common resources; the brains of a network

throughput

the actual rate of data transfer

topology

the way a network is arranged and the various parts of the network

uniform resource locator

the unique web address of a resource, such as a website, accessible over the internet (URL)

bus topology

all devices connected to a single cable

business continuity planning

the plans a business makes that help it to recover from a security crisis

cloud

servers that are physically located at data centers and rented out to host data and websites for organizations and individuals

cyber-physical attack

when important infrastructure, such as electricity grids, water treatment systems, transportation systems, military defense systems, and large companies, is targeted through the use of technology

cybercriminal

a person who use technology to steal, defraud, harm, and extort

cybersecurity

the protection of technology systems and devices

encrypt

to scramble information or put it in secret code

hacking

a method cybercriminals use to break into IT systems

intellectual property

a person’s creations such as art and inventions

least privilege access

the principle that staff should only have the minimum access they need to perform their duties

malware

malicious software that damages and/or gains access to your computer

node

a single device in a network 

phishing

when a cybercriminal poses as a trustworthy source, such as a bank, in an attempt to obtain sensitive information

PPRR risk management model

a process used to manage risk that stands for prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery

preparedness

ensuring the necessary steps have been taken before a security incident occurs; this includes effective response and recovery plans

prevention

taking actions that eliminate or reduce the possibility or effects of a security breach

ransomware

a kind of malware that aims to scramble or encrypt data, and then demands a ransom to unscramble the data

recovery

the steps that must be taken to minimize recovery and disruption times

response

effectively containing, minimizing, and controlling the effects of a security incident

security configuration

how security measures are implemented and built into security systems

spam

digital communication, such as an email, that is sent out in bulk and is unsolicited 

spyware

a kind of malware used to spy on people and gather information about them

star topology

each device has a separate cable going to a central device

state-sponsored attack

when governments use cyber skills to infiltrate other governments and attack critical infrastructure

advanced persistent threat

a nation or state-sponsored group of people whose aim is access to computer networks and who work for a sustained period of time before being detected (APT)

biometric authentication

authentication credentials based on the user’s physical characteristics, such as a fingerprint or facial recognition

CAPTCHA

a system that confirms a user is a human and not a computer or automated system by asking questions that are easy for humans to answer but extremely difficult for computers to answer 

confidentiality

ensuring that only authorized users have access to sensitive data

information security

the methods used to protect data from unauthorized access

multi-factor authentication

authentication method that requires the user to provide at least two unique credentials

password-based authentication

the process of confirming a user’s identity by providing a username and password

password criteria

a policy or set of requirements for the creation of passwords that increases security

password management software

a program that generates and maintains strong passwords

personal identification number

a number used to verify an account or individual (PIN)

point of sale

a place at which customers pay for an item purchased (POS)

scam

a dishonest scheme

skimming

the illegal practice of stealing bank or credit card information by installing devices into bank account or credit card machine readers

smart card

a physical card containing an embedded memory chip supplied to a device in order to confirm a user’s identity

activity monitor

a Mac operating system tool that monitors computer activity, including memory, active processes, and applications

application

a program designed for users

background process

a process that runs without user interaction for running the computer

breach

an unauthorized break in security or protection

ciphertext

text that has been encrypted from plain text

cryptographic keys

data used to lock or unlock cryptographic functions

cryptography

practice of converting ordinary plain text into unintelligible text and vice-versa

decryption

reverting encrypted data into their original form

encryption

a method of converting information by scrambling data into secret code to hide the information's true meaning

multithreading

the ability of a central processing unit to provide multiple threads of execution concurrently

padlock

an image used in an address bar to indicate a secure site

secure coding

writing code to reduce security vulnerabilities

task manager

a Windows operating system tool that monitors computer activity, including memory, active processes, and applications

two-factor authentication

a security system that requires two distinct forms of identification in order to access an account