Unit 2: The Internet

Internet

A computer network consisting of interconnected networks that use standardized, open (nonproprietary) communication protocols.

Net Neutrality

The principle that all Internet traffic should be treated equally by Internet Service Providers.

Internet Censorship

The control or suppression of what can be accessed, published, or viewed on the Internet.

Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)

Develops and promotes voluntary Internet standards and protocols, in particular the standards that comprise the Internet protocol suite.

Bandwidth

Maximum amount of data that can be sent in a fixed amount of time, usually measured in bits per second.

Computing Device

A machine that can run a program.

Computing Network

Group of interconnected computing devices capable of sending or receiving data.

Computing System

Group of computing devices and programs working together for a common purpose.

Path

The series of connections between computing devices on a network starting with a sender and ending with a receiver.

Internet Protocol (IP)

Protocol for sending data across the Internet that assigns unique numbers (IP addresses) to each connected device.

IP Address

The unique number assigned to each device on the Internet.

Protocol

Agreed-upon set of rules that specify the behavior of a system.

Fault Tolerant

A system that can support failures of individual components and still continue to function.

Redundancy

Inclusion of extra components that a system can continue to work even if individual components fail.

Router

A type of computer that forwards data across a network.

Routing

Process of finding a path from sender to receiver.

Packet

A chunk of data sent over a network.

Packet Metadata

Data added to packets to help route them through the network and reassemble the original message.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)

Provides reliable, ordered, and error checked delivery of packets on the Internet.

User Datagram Protocol (UDP)

A protocol used on the internet for fast transmission of information but with minimal error checking.

Datastream

Information passed through the internet in packets.

Cache

Stores data so that future requests for that data can be served faster.

Certificate Authority

Issue digital certificates that validate the ownership of encryption keys used in secure communications and based on a trust model.

Cookies

Small pieces of data sent from a website and stored on the user's computer by the web browser.

DDoS Atttack

One or many compromised systems attack a target causing a flood of incoming messages which overwhelms the system.

Digital Certificates

Verifies a trusted website.

Domain Name System (DNS)

A network of servers that translates URLs to IP addresses.

HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP)

The protocol used for transmitting web pages over the Internet.

Latency

Time it takes for a bit to travel from one place to another.

Scalability

Capacity for the system to change in size and scale to meet new demands.

SMTP

Internet standard for electronic mail transmissions.

SSL/TLS

An encryption layer of HTTP that uses public key cryptography to establish a secure connection.

URL

An easy way to remember an address for calling a web page.

World Wide Web

A system of linked pages, programs, and files.

DNS Spoofing

A type of attack that exploits vulnerabilities in the DNS to divert Internet traffic away from legitimate servers and towards fake ones.

Digital Divide

Differing access to computing devices and the Internet based on socioeconomic, geographic, or demographic characteristics.