The internet and its uses Flashcards
What is the Internet?
A global infrastructure of interconnected networks
What is the World Wide Web?
All of the web pages that are accessible via the Internet.
What is a URL and what does it stand for?
Uniform Resource Locator
Each web page has its own unique text-based address
What is the purple part of this URL called?
Protocol
What is the red part of this URL called?
Host
What is the blue part of this URL called?
Domain Name
What is the green part of this URL called?
Web page / file name
What is a protocol?
A set of rules for communication between devices. It allows equipment from different suppliers to work together
What does HTTP stand for?
HyperText Transfer Protocol
What is HTTP?
The standard transmission protocol of the Web
What is the problem with HTTP?
Any data you enter into the site is sent in plaintext and is susceptible to hacking
What does HTTPS stand for?
HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure
What is HTTPS?
A secure protocol that encrypts any data sent between the website and your browser so that it can’t be understood if intercepted.
What are the functions of a browser?
Storing bookmarks and favourites
Recording user history
Storing cookies
Providing navigation tools
Allowing use of multiple tabs
Providing an address bar
What does HTML stand for and what is it?
Hypertext Markup Language
The standard markup language for creating web pages
What is an IP address?
A public address that is unique to each device. Every networked computer has an IP address
What does a Domain Name Server do?
It converts a URL address into an IP address
This means that a browser on a client machine can make a request to the correct web server hosting that web page
What happens if the DNS server doesn’t have an entry for the domain name?
It passes the request to a more authoritative DNS server. An error is sent back if no match is found.
What are cookies?
Text files with small pieces of data
What do cookies do?
They are used to track user preferences, hold items in a shopping cart, store login details and other personal details
What are session cookies?
They are created and replaced each time a user visits a website
What are persistent cookies?
They are created and saved on the first visit and retained until they expire
What advantages come from using cookies for a retailer on an online shopping site?
The retailer can send personalised email advertisements to customers
The retailer can analyse quantity and value of sales/advertising
The retailer can implement one-click purchasing
What are the advantages for the user when visiting an online shopping site that uses cookies?
They will not need to remember login details
They can use one-click purchasing
Websites will remember their personal customisations
What is digital currency?
Any money-like asset that only exists in digital form. It is exchanged digitally with no physical banknotes or coins in circulation
Why are digital currencies gaining in popularity?
Can transfer funds without the intervention of private banks
Reduced transfer fees and sped-up transaction completion time
Improves security and anonymity
What is a blockchain?
A digital ledger –> a time-stamped series of transaction records sequentially linked in a chain, tracking the movement of a digital currency
How does blockchain work?
- Each new transaction is added onto a chain of transaction blocks
- Each block will carry the user’s ID number and a reference to the previous block. This is known as a hash total and is calculated with a hashing algorithm
- A change of data in one block will create a ripple effect of incorrect hash totals
- The blockchain will be stored on multiple different servers, and if one chain doesn’t match all others, it will be rejected
