Technology in Action: Networking, Digital Lifestyle, and System Security

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering computer networking, digital lifestyle management, media ethics, and system security fundamentals.

Computer Network

Two or more computers that are connected via software and hardware so they can communicate with each other.

Node

Each device connected to a network, such as a computer, a peripheral (e.g., printer), or a network device (e.g., router).

Bandwidth (Data Transfer Rate)

The maximum speed at which data can be transmitted between two nodes on a network.

Throughput

The actual speed of data transfer that is achieved on a network, usually measured in megabits per second ($\text{Mbps}$) or gigabits per second ($\text{Gbps}$).

Network Architectures by Distance

Networks classified by geographical span: Personal Area Network (PAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Home Area Network (HAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and Wide Area Network (WAN).

Client/Server Network

A centrally administered network where client devices make requests and dedicated servers fulfill those requests and provide shared resources.

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Network

A network design where each node connected to the network can communicate directly with every other node without central administration.

Ethernet

A communication standard developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) that standardizes wired and wireless networking.

Wi-Fi 6 ($802.11ax$)

The wireless networking standard operating on $2.4\text{ GHz}$, $5\text{ GHz}$, and $6\text{ GHz}$ frequencies with a maximum data rate of $10\text{--}12\text{ Gbps}$.

Transmission Media

The physical system establishing a communications channel between nodes on a network, including Unshielded Twisted-Pair (UTP), Coaxial, and Fiber-Optic cables.

Router

A device that routes packets of data between two or more networks, such as between a home network and the Internet.

Switch

A network hardware device that acts like a traffic signal on a local network, receiving data packets and directing them to their intended destination node.

Network Operating System (NOS)

Specialized software deployed on servers in client/server networks to manage network resources and communications.

Fiber-Optic Broadband

A high-speed transmission medium consisting of strands of optically pure glass or plastic that transmits data via light signals with average speeds of $250\text{ Mbps}$ and maximum speeds up to $1{,}200\text{ Mbps}$.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

A broadband technology that transmits data over existing copper wire phone lines, where speed decreases as the distance from the main signal source increases.

Network-Attached Storage (NAS) Device

A specialized computing device designed specifically to provide shared storage to multiple nodes connected to a network.

Piggybacking

The unauthorized connection to an open, unsecured wireless network without the owner's knowledge or explicit permission.

SSID (Service Set Identifier)

The unique identifying network name assigned to a wireless local area network.

Digital Convergence

The use of a single unifying device to handle multiple digital needs, such as media, Internet access, entertainment, and telephony.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The interconnected network of physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and network connectivity that collect and exchange data.

Analog Signal

A continuous physical wave of varying frequency and amplitude, distinct from the discrete numeric strings used in digital representation.

Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC)

A microchip that digitizes continuous analog sound waves into a series of numbers that computers can store and process.

Sampling Rate

The number of times per second an analog signal is measured and recorded during the analog-to-digital conversion process.

Electronic Ink (E Ink)

A display technology composed of microscopic particles reflecting ambient light rather than emitting backlight, drastically reducing glare and eye strain on e-readers.

Digital Rights Management (DRM)

A system of access controls and technological protection measures that limits the unauthorized use, sharing, and playback of legally purchased digital media.

Resolution

The total number of data points (pixels) recorded in an image by a digital camera.

Pixel Binning

A sensor processing algorithm that combines electrical signals from adjacent pixels to capture more light and enhance image quality.

RAW File

An uncompressed image file format that preserves all the original image data recorded directly by the camera sensor.

Codec

A rule or computer algorithm used to compress and decompress digital audio and video files.

Cryptocurrency

A digital asset designed to enable direct, anonymous financial transactions between parties without the need for central banking intermediaries.

Blockchain

A decentralized, distributed digital ledger that chronologically records and verifies cryptocurrency transactions.

Deep Web

The portion of the World Wide Web whose contents are not indexed by standard search engines.

Dark Web

A restricted subsection of the Deep Web requiring specialized software and authorization to browse, frequently hosting anonymous sites for privacy advocates or illicit activities.

Intellectual Property

Any product of a person's intellect or creative thought that is legally protected under copyright, patents, trademarks, service marks, or trade dress.

Public Domain

The status of creative works that are no longer protected by copyright law and may be freely adapted, distributed, and used by anyone without permission.

Copyleft

A licensing concept that enables copyright holders to grant permission to modify and distribute their work under the condition that resulting derivatives retain the same open terms.

Fair Use

A legal provision allowing limited reproduction and use of portions of copyrighted works for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, teaching, or research.

Plagiarism

The act of copying words, graphics, or intellectual concepts created by another party and claiming them as one's own work.

Identity Theft

A cybercrime in which a criminal acquires personal information to unlawfully pose as an individual, representing the most financially damaging cybercrime for individuals.

Hacker

Any individual who unlawfully breaks into a computer system or network without authorization.

Packet Analyzer (Sniffer)

A program deployed by network administrators or hackers to inspect data packets traversing a network segment.

Keylogger

A spyware program that monitors and records keystrokes entered into a device to capture passwords and personal credentials.

Trojan Horse

A program that masquerades as useful, legitimate software while executing malicious background tasks on a computer.

Zombie

A networked computer that has been compromised and is being remotely manipulated by a hacker without the owner's knowledge.

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) Attack

An attack launched by a hacker activating many infected zombie computers (a botnet) to flood a target server with traffic, shutting it down for legitimate users.

Botnet

A coordinated network of infected computer systems and devices remotely commanded by a hacker to execute distributed cyberattacks.

Exploit Kit

A software package deployed on servers configured to scan visiting client machines for unpatched operating system and application vulnerabilities.

Logical Port

A virtual communications gateway that allows an operating system to direct network data flows to specific application programs.

Computer Virus

A malicious code segment that attaches to host programs and spreads by replicating itself across files and machines.

Boot-Sector Virus

A virus that replicates into the master boot record of a hard drive to execute immediately whenever the computer powers on.

Logic Bomb / Time Bomb

A virus programmed to lie dormant until triggered by predefined criteria, logical events, or specific calendar dates.

Worm

An autonomous malicious program capable of replicating and spreading across network connections without requiring human interaction or a host file.

Polymorphic Virus

A virus designed to periodically alter its internal code structure or encryption sequence to evade signature-based detection.

Stealth Virus

A virus that temporarily erases its code from the storage files where it resides and hides in active system memory to evade antivirus scanners.

Malware

Software intentionally engineered to inflict disruption, damage, or unauthorized control upon a computing system.

Cookie

A small text file downloaded to a browser by a web server to store site preferences and track visits; poses privacy risks but no direct security threat.

Social Engineering

Techniques that exploit human psychology and interpersonal interaction to trick individuals into divulging sensitive data or credentials.

Phishing

A social engineering scheme that lures users through deceptive communications into disclosing confidential credentials or financial information.

Pharming

A cyber scam where malicious code planted on a computer or server redirects users from legitimate web addresses to fraudulent lookalike sites.

Ransomware

A type of malware that locks down a computer system by encrypting critical data files and demanding payment in exchange for decryption keys.

Firewall

A dedicated software package or hardware appliance that filters inbound and outbound data packets to protect a system from unauthorized intrusions.

Virus Signature

A unique binary sequence or identifier in a virus program that antivirus software scans for to detect that specific threat.

Drive-by Download

The unintended, silent installation of malicious software onto a computer simply caused by viewing an infected web page that exploits unpatched vulnerabilities.

Biometric Authentication Device

A security device that verifies identity by scanning unique biological characteristics such as fingerprints, iris patterns, voice prints, or facial geometry.

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

A service that encrypts user data and routes traffic through a secure tunnel across public Internet infrastructure to ensure anonymous and private browsing.

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS)

A battery-powered backup device that provides continuous electrical power during power outages and protects connected solid-state electronics from power surges.