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Internet Uses transmission protocols such as TCP and IP (Internet Protocols) Allows the user to communicate with other users via chat, email, calling and more Worldwide Collection of Interconnected Networks and Devices
whereas
World Wide Web (WWW) Collection of webpages and other information on websites Uses HTTP(S) protocols that are written using Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) URLs (Uniform Resource Locator) are used for the location of the web pages Web pages can be accessed by web browsers
Uniform Resource Locator (URLs) URLs are used to locate and access web pages. The typical format of URLs is -
protocol://website address/path/file name
The protocol (set of rules while sending or receiving data on the internet) would usually be HTTP or HTTPS The website address would contain - domain host (www) domain name (website name) domain type (.com, .org, .net, .gov) or sometimes country codes (.uk, .in, .cy) The path would usually become the file directory roots. for example, https://www.znotes.com/computer-science The /computer-science is the file name
HTTP and HTTPS HTTP stands for Hypertext transfer protocol and HTTPS stands for Hypertext transfer protocol secure They are safety protocols maintained while transmitting data. Secure make it harder for unauthorized users to intercept and manipulate the data \
Web Browsers It is software used to access web pages and display on the internet It renders, interprets and translates the HTML code into visual display for the user ensures SSL & TLS security can be established Offers additional features: search history ad blockers Store cookies Manage multiple tabs Store bookmarks Provite navigation tools \
Retrieval and Location of web pages: → done using the DNS(domain name and server) System Computer types in the url Browser sends URL to the domain name server (DNS) using a protocol DNS stores index and matches with the IP address in it’s stored database. Or searches in another DNS server until it gets the address, retrieves and stores it in the database IP is returned to the web browser Browser sends request to the website from a webserver Browser renders, interprets the HTML and displays visual data
Cookies Cookies are small text files stored on the user’s computer They are used to track data about the users and autofill forms or give suggestions accordingly Types of Cookies - Session Cookies Persistent Cookies Temporary cookies which are stored in the RAM till the browser is closed.
Stored on the hard disk on the computer until their expiry date or the user deletes them. Can last from weeks to years Doesn’t collect any personal information on the user’s laptop Used to record user’s preferences A good example is the virtual shopping basket on e- commerce websites
Remembers the user’s login in details so the user doesn’t have to log in every time they visit a website
A digital currency is a type of currency that exists only in electronic form and is not backed by any physical commodity or government.
Only Exists Electronically Digital currencies are purely electronic, meaning they do not exist in physical form like traditional currencies such as cash or coins. They are stored in digital wallets or accounts and can be transferred electronically between individuals or businesses Decentralised Many digital currencies operate on a decentralised network; meaning that they are not controlled by any central authority like a government or financial institution Instead, transactions are verified and recorded on a public ledger known as a blockchain Used for Transactions Digital currencies can be used for various transactions, including purchasing goods and services online or transferring money internationally They can also be used for investments or as a store of value Volatile Digital currencies can be highly volatile; meaning their value can fluctuate rapidly over short periods of time This can make them risky investments and can also make it difficult to use them as a stable store of value Examples include Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and Ripple Form of payment to pay for goods and services A few examples are Debit/Credit Cards, Apps (Paypal, Apple Pay, Bank Transfers and many more) Cryptography was later introduced due to the problem in centralized banking systems. Decentralized- not controlled by any authority or financial institution. All finances are recorded in a public ledger called blockchain. Cryptocurrency uses cryptography to maintain track of transactions. Cryptocurrency is also more secure because it uses Blockchain Network
Blockchain Network involves several interconnected computers where the transaction data is stored It is a public digital ledger that stores every transaction made with a particular digital currency Hacking isn’t possible here as transaction details would be sent to all the computers and the data can’t be changed without the consent of all the network members Blockchain is a digital ledger that records every transaction made with a particular digital currency Each transaction is time-stamped and added to the blockchain in a permanent and unalterable way Blockchain is a decentralised technology, meaning that it is not controlled by a single entity or authority Instead, every participant in the network has a copy of the ledger and can verify the transactions independently The blockchain is made up of "blocks" of transactions that are linked together in a "chain" using cryptographic algorithms This creates a secure and tamper-proof record of every transaction made with the digital currency Each transaction in the blockchain must be verified by multiple participants in the network This verification process ensures that the transaction is legitimate and prevents any fraudulent activity
Every time a transaction takes place, A block is created. The block would contain Data - Name of the sender and the receiver, amount of money and more Hash Value - Unique value generated by an algorithm Previous Hash Value - Hash Value of the previous block in the chain
The first block is called the genesis block as it doesn’t point to any previous block (Previous Hash Value - 0000 )
Hackers try to guess your password by trying all the different combinations of letters, numbers and symbols. Effect: Hacker gets access to user’s personal data (credit cards, passwords and more) To remove risk: Use stronger passwords with more characters and symbols
This involves stealing data by tapping into a wired or a wireless transmission line Wardriving - The act of locating and using wireless internet connections illegally Packet Sniffing - Uses Packet sniffers to examine packets sent over a line, all the data collected is sent back to the attacker Effect: Can cause a computer to crash Can delete or corrupt files/data To remove risk: Install anti-virus software Don’t use software from unknown sources Be careful when opening emails from unknown
An attempt at preventing users from accessing part of a network When a user inputs a website's URL into their browser, a request is dispatched to the web server housing the respective website or webpage. However, the server has limitations in handling a specific number of requests. If an attacker floods it with thousands of requests, it can lead to overload, rendering the server incapable of servicing legitimate user requests. This situation constitutes a denial of service. In the case of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, the malicious traffic originates from numerous computers, making it challenging to effectively block the assault. Usually temporary but may be damaging Attacker may be able to prevent user from: Accessing their emails Accessing websites Accessing online services
The act of gaining illegal access to a computer system Effect: Leads to identity theft, gaining personal information Data can be deleted, changed or corrupted To remove risk: Firewalls Strong passwords/ user IDs Use of anti-hacking software Difference between hacking and cracking Hacking breaks into computer system to steal data Cracking is where someone edits a program code, malicious
Stands for Malicious Software, A few examples are - Virus - Program that can replicate itself with the intention of deleting or corrupting files, cause computer malfunction Ransomware - Attackers encrypt the user’s data until a certain amount of money is paid Adware - Displays unwanted ads on user’s screen Trojan Horse - Programs that are disguised as legitimate software Spyware - Sends data about all the activities of the user to the attacker Worms - Programs that can replicate itself with the intention of corrupting the entire network instead of the computer alone
Attackers send legitimate-looking emails to bait the user into giving out their information. To remove risk: Don’t open links from unknown receivers Use anti-phishing tools Block pop-up ads Have an up-to-date browser
The attacker instals a malicious code on the computer which redirects the user to fake websites Effect: User gives out login details and other personal details To remove risk: Using anti-virus software Checking the spelling and the weblink carefully Making sure that the green padlock is present in the URL bar
Attackers create a social situation which leads to victims giving out their details (For example - Spam calls informing that your account has been hacked)