Introduction to Computer Hardware and Digital Security

Vocabulary review flashcards covering computer hardware components, architectures, system configurations, diagnostic beep codes, digital security principles, malware types, and troubleshooting concepts.

Computer

An electronic device that accepts information and instructions from a user, manipulates the information according to the instructions, displays the information in some way, and stores the information for retrieval later.

Desktop Computer

A type of computer whose power scales with its parts, offers high customizability and ease of repair, but requires a stable power source and cannot be easily moved.

Laptop Computer

A portable computer with weaker hardware designed to reduce power consumption and avoid overheating, featuring components soldered to the board that limit repair and upgrade options.

Hardware

The tangible design and construction of a particular computer, also referred to as its architecture or configuration.

Software

The intangible components of a computer system, consisting of programs or lists of instructions for performing specific tasks.

Input Devices

Hardware components that send raw data information into the computer.

Processing Devices

Hardware components that process sent raw data and instructions into meaningful information.

Output Devices

Hardware devices that disseminate data and display information to the user.

Storage Devices

Hardware components that retain or store data and information for later use.

System Software

Software that oversees the core components of a computer system and manages file storage, program execution, and resource allocation.

Application Software

Software designed to perform specific tasks for the user, such as writing, painting, studying, or gaming.

Programming Software

Software tools, such as code editors, compilers, and interpreters, that allow programmers to write, test, and create other software.

Open Source Software

Software that is free for anyone to use, modify, and distribute, such as Linux, Apache, and Git.

Proprietary Software

Software owned by a company or individual that requires purchasing a license to use, such as Windows OS and Adobe Creative Suite.

Handheld Computers

Small computers that fit in a hand or pocket, offering minimal customizability except for external accessories.

Standalone Computers

Computers designed to perform specific tasks to provide ease of access for users.

Wearable Technology

Computers worn on the body capable of performing a limited set of tasks through gestures, key presses, or voice commands.

Supercomputer

Large-scale computers used in research centers for complicated computing and data management, requiring specialized cooling due to extreme heat generation.

Processor (CPU)

The central processing chip that handles basic instructions and computations driving a computer, often called the brain of the machine.

Processor Cores

The physical processing units within a CPU that execute data processing operations.

Processor Threads

Logical processing units that feed data to physical cores.

NPU (Neural Processing Unit)

A specialized processor integrated into modern CPUs and SoCs designed to optimize neural network computations for real-time tasks like image recognition and voice processing.

TPU (Tensor Processing Unit)

A hardware AI accelerator ASIC developed by Google to optimize tensor-based computations, matrix multiplication, and parallel processing for deep learning.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that routes electrical communication and signals across components, acting as the central nervous system of the computer.

Micro-ATX

The cheapest motherboard form factor standard available in the market.

ATX

The most common motherboard form factor used for desktop workstations.

E-ATX

A larger motherboard form factor designed for heavy-duty workstations requiring extra PCI-E slots.

Mini-ATX

A motherboard size smaller than standard form factors that carries a higher price tag.

RAM (Random Access Memory)

Short-term system memory required by the CPU to rapidly access active files and move data.

DIMM RAM

Dual In-line Memory Module RAM format used primarily in desktop computers.

SODIMM RAM

Small Outline Dual In-line Memory Module RAM format used in laptops and small-form-factor devices.

Graphics Card (GPU)

An expansion card connected via PCI-E that handles rendering visual content, audio, real-time 3D graphics, and repetitive parallel processing loads.

Power Supply Unit (PSU)

The hardware component responsible for distributing and regulating power to all internal system parts.

Power Rating

A metric attached to power supplies indicating energy efficiency under different operating loads.

SATA Cable

A power cable used for directly powering storage drives like HDDs and SSDs.

PCI-E Power Cable

A power cable that connects directly to PCIe graphics cards and expansion boards requiring supplementary power.

CPU Power Cable

A dedicated power connector supplying electricity directly to the processor.

ATX 24-Pin Cable

The main power delivery connector supplying power to the motherboard, RAM, fans, USBs, and PCIe slots.

Positive Airflow

A system cooling configuration where intake fan capacity or power exceeds exhaust fan capacity.

Negative Airflow

A cooling setup where exhaust fan airflow exceeds intake fan airflow, creating a vacuum inside the chassis.

Passive Cooling

A heat dissipation method using metal heat sinks to conduct thermal energy away without fans.

Air Cooling

A thermal solution using active fans to blow heat away from a metal heat sink.

Water Cooling

A cooling system that uses a liquid pump to circulate water against the processor to lower temperatures.

NVMe SSD

A solid-state storage drive connected directly to the motherboard to deliver significantly higher read/write speeds.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A storage device that uses microchip flash memory to store digital files without moving parts.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A traditional storage device utilizing magnetic platters, offering long shelf-life and easier data recovery.

5 Beeps Code

A diagnostic POST beep sequence indicating a processor failure.

4 Beeps Code

A POST error beep code indicating system timer failure.

8 Beeps Code

A motherboard POST audio code signalling display memory failure.

10 Beeps Code

A diagnostic beep code alerting to a CMOS shutdown error.

Continuous Beeps Code

An uninterrupted POST diagnostic warning signaling memory or video failure.

Host Security

The protective measures and security protocols designed to safeguard individual computing devices such as desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices.

Data Security

The protection of digital information from unauthorized access, corruption, or theft to preserve confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

Data Integrity

The principle of ensuring that data remains complete and accurate by protecting it against unauthorized modifications, accidental edits, or deletion.

Data Availability

The assurance that authorized users have continuous access to data, maintained primarily through regular system backups.

Data Confidentiality

The requirement to keep sensitive information private and restricted from unauthorized access in compliance with legal standards such as GDPR and HIPAA.

Network Security

Defensive measures and policies that maintain the integrity, confidentiality, and operational availability of computer networks and data.

Malware

Any software designed to access a system without consent to cause harm or steal confidential information.

Botnet

A group of compromised computers infected with malicious code (such as a virus) that turns individual PCs into remotely controlled zombie machines.

Worm

A type of self-replicating malware that spreads across computer networks and shared storage environments without human interaction.

Trojan Horse

Malware disguised as legitimate software or attached to non-executable media files that performs unauthorized malicious actions in the background.

Adware

Unwanted software that continuously generates pop-up advertisements to generate ad revenue.

Spyware

Malware designed to secretly record private information and send it to an unauthorized third party or attacker.

Ransomware

Malicious code that encrypts user data and demands financial payment to release the encryption keys.

Antivirus

Security software programs built to scan, detect, prevent, and remove malware from computer systems.

Physical Security

The defense of personnel, hardware, networks, and physical space against external physical hazards, theft, fires, floods, vandalism, and natural disasters.

Troubleshooting

A structured, systematic approach to problem-solving used to isolate and correct operational errors in computer hardware and software.