Unit 1 Flashcards
Email protocols
- SMTP ~ used to transfer emails
- POP3 ~ used to retrieve emails and download them
- IMAP ~ used to retrieve emails and download them to sync them with the mail server
Voice and video call protocols
- H.323 ~ communicating over packet switched networks
- SIP ~ create, control and end VOIP connections
- RTP ~ transfer audio and video over IP-based networks
Webpages protocols
- HTTP ~ transfer files over the internet
- HTTPS ~ uses public key cryptography to encrypt communications
- FTP ~ upload files and download large files
Security protocols
- SSL and TLS ~ transactions over networks are kept safe
User authentication
Usernames and passwords authenticate users who have permission and prevent unauthorised access by hackers
Firewalls
Monitor traffic to prevent unauthorised access and dangerous data packets being passed into the system.
Encryption
Ensures intercepted data cannot be read.
Bandwidth
The rate is data transfer over a network
Multifunctional devices
Devices that can perform multiple functions such as inputting and outputting data. An example is a touch screen that outputs an image while allowing the user to input data.
Barcode scanner
Inputs a barcode and converts the information into data.
Epos system
Records sales and updates stock levels
Use of digital devices
- Education
- personal
- social
- creative
- organisational
- retail
Input devices
- Keyboard
- mouse
- scanner
- microphone
- webcam
- sensor
Output devices
- Monitor
- projector
- printer
- speakers
- headphones
Accessibility devices
- Trackball
- touch screen
- large keyboard
- eye motion sensor
- head motion trackers
- braille embosser
Automatic processes
- biometric readers
- barcode readers
- radio frequency indemnification
- smart meters
Manual processes
- Keying details into database
- marking exam papers
- entering survey responses from a form
Hard disk drives pros and cons
pro
- Large storage on a per byte basis
- reliable
con
- slower than SSD’s
- not as portable
Solid state drivers pros and cons
Pro
- fast data read/write speeds
- lower power consumption
- reliable as it has no moving parts
con
- higher cost than HDD’s
- low storage
- finit number of writes
SD card pros and cons
pro
- small and portable
- easy to transfer
con
- small storage
- potential compatibility problems
USB memory stick pros and cons
pro
- portable
- compatible
con
- low storage capacity
- finite number of writes
can be lost as it is small
Optical disk (CD) pros and cons
Pro
- small and portable
- compatible
con
- archival stability is questionable
- fragile and easy to damage
Magnetic tape pros and cons
Pro
- large storage capacity
- cheap
con
- data is accessed serially which is very slow
- requires specialist equipment for reading and recording data.
Real time operations systems
inputs are processed and responded to instantaneously
Single user single task operating system
One user can use the system at a time and one application can run at a time
Single user multitasking operating system
One user can use the system at a time but many applications can run simultaneously
Multiuser operating system
Many users can use the system at the same time and can run many applications simultaneously
Factors affecting performance
- Hardware
- malware
- virtual memory
TCP/IP stack
Set of protocols used for transmitting data over the internet
command line interface pros and cons
Pro
- experienced user find it quicker to complete tasks
- requires far less memory and processing power
con
- requires knowledge of commands
- Intimidating for inexperienced users
Graphical user interface pros and cons
pro
- simple
- easy to use for beginners
- don’t have to learn commands
- option to adapt interface to suit users needs
con
- requires a lot of processing power and memory
- experienced users find it frustrating
Menu based interface pros and cons
pro
- limited number of options to chose from making it easy to use
- performs tasks without instructions
- adapt interface to suit users needs
con
- performing tasks can be slow and frustrating
File compression
Compresses files to reduce their size and decompress them for later access
Backup
Backup utilities allow you to automate the backup process
Disk defragmenter
Recognises the data for quicker access
Firewall
Prevents unauthorised access by monitoring and blocking suspicious traffic
Antivirus
Prevents computers from receiving viruses and detects and removes viruses that have already infected a system
Image file types
- PNG
- GIF
- PNG
Application software file types
- DOC
- ACCDB
Video file types
- MP4
- MOV
- AVI
Proprietary software pros and cons
Pro
- support provided by software creators
- more features than open source
con
- software company’s can be slow to provide updates and bug fixes
- software is generic
- cost
Open source software pros and cons
Pro
- free to use
- support and fixes provided by community
- compatible with other proprietary utility software
con
- support may not be available when needed, it relies on goodwill
- indirect costs
Cat5 pros and cons
Used for telephone communications
pro
- versatile
- cheap
con
- short distance use
- susceptible to interference
Coaxial pros and cons
Used for television cabling
pro
- less susceptible to interference
- longer distance use
- cheap
con
- difficult to work with because of thick cable
- limited bandwidth
Fibre optics pros and cons
Used for internet cables
pro
- improved security
- long distance use
- high data transfer rate
con
- expensive
- specialist staff to install
VGA pros and cons
Used in projectors
pro
- universal
- low cost
con
- cumbersome cabling
- signal affected over distance
HDMI pros and cons
Used in digital connection to producer both sound and video
pro
- good resolution
- computing and entertainment
con
- limited length
- expensive
USB pros and cons
Used to input devices
pro
- high speed
- backwards compatibility
- connect multiple devices
con
- limited distance
- limited power supply
Wi-Fi pros and cons
Used to connect devices wirelessly
pro
- high data transfer
- good range
- cheap
con
- complex
- security
4G pros and cons
Used to connect to data networks
pro
- mobility
- fast
con
- cost
- uses public networks
Satellite broadband pros and cons
provides connectivity to remote areas
pro
- wide coverage
- high speed
con
- high latency
- weather conditions
Microwave/ laser pros and cons
Allows LAN connections between locations
pro
- high speed
- No ongoing cost
con
- weather conditions
- initial cost
Bluetooth pros and cons
Used to pair devices over short distance
pro
- easy to use
- low power consumption
con
- low data transfer speeds
- short range
Wi-Fi Direct pros and cons
used to connect devices to remote displays
pro
- transmit both audio and video
- built into devices
con
- limited range
- affect data connectivity
WAN - wide area network
A computer network that covers a large geographical area such as a county or the whole world
LAN - local area network
A computer network that covers a single building or site
PAN - private area network
Used to connected network devices wirelessly within a short range of an individual
VPN - virtual private network
Creates a secure network connection over a public network by using encryption
Latency
The time delay for a data packet to transfer to its destination
Compression
Reduces file size so files can be transferred faster
Lossy
Data removed during compression is permanently deleted
Lossless
All original data can be recovered when uncompressed
Codec pros and cons
A program used to compress and decompress videos and audio files
Pro
- reduces space taken up on disk
- fast transfer
Con
- loss of quality
Personal use of cloud storage
storing files such as photos so they are synced and accessible on all users devices
Professional use of cloud storage
- storing offsite backups of data
- accessing documents while working offsite
Personal use of cloud computing
access software and email on a variety of devices
Professional use of cloud computing
Access offline applications and email without having to install the software
Pros and cons of cloud storage
Pro
- data can be accessed on a variety of devices
- software with high requirements can be accessed through cloud computing
Con
- heavy use of bandwidth
- hackers can access and misuse personal photos or videos
Pros and cons of cloud computing
Pro
- offsite backups are more secure
- subscribe or unsubscribe according to changing needs
- IT staff are not needed
Con
- no control over security of backups
- privacy concerns
- software is inaccessible if there is a network outage
Online communities
- social media
- blog
- wiki
- chat room
- podcast
- forums
Implications of online communities for individuals
- privacy
- cost
- meeting needs
- security
- user experience
Implications of online communities for organisations
- customer needs
- cost
- security
- current systems
- productivity
- implementation
- working practices
Threats to data
- malware
- hackers
- phishing
- accidental damage
Impact of threats on individuals
- identity fraud
- bank fraud
Impact of threat on organisations
- loss of reputation
- loss of income
How to protect data
- file permissions and access levels
- backup and recovery procedures
- passwords
- protocols
- digital certificates
- physical access control
Data protection act 2018
- protection of personal data
- protects privacy of data held by others
- rights to users on what data is collected and how their data is used
Computer misuse act 1990
- protects against attacks on IT systems
- covers threats like hacking and spreading malware.
Retail pros and cons
Pro
- wide range
- saves transport time and cost
- targeted audience marketing
Con
- products may not be regulated
- nuisance emails and texts
Financial services pros and cons
Pro
- manage finances from home
- saves transport time and money
Con
- services may not be genuine
- potential for unauthorised access
Education pros and cons
Pro
- learn on own time
- wide range of courses
Con
- make sure course is accredited
- lack of structure
News pros and cons
Pro
- up to date information
- plan travel to avoid weather
- can be personalised
Con
- reliability
- too much information accessed too quickly
Entertainment pros and cons
Pro
- wide range
- play with people all around the world
Con
- safety
Productivity pros and cons
Pro
- accessibility
- collaboration
Con
- loss of human touch
Booking systems pros and cons
Pro
- no need to travel
- fewer admin staff
- avoid teleport queue
Con
- disadvantage for those without internet access
Collaborative working online pros
- different locations can work together
- no need to travel
- work on the same document
- shared workspaces
Uses of transactional data
- specific marketing
- analyse trends to make sure there is enough stock
- plan the workforce
Stock control pros and cons
Pro
- automatic stock reordering
- accurate stock levels recorded
Con
- expensive
- staff training
Data logging pros and cons
Pro
- accurate recordings
- no human error
- automatic processing
Con
- persistent data connectivity
Office tasks pros and cons
Pro
- improved efficiency
Con
- training of staff
- IT support teams to correct issues
Creative tasks pros and cons
Pro
- easier to edit
- many ways of sharing
Con
- files require large storage capacity
- piracy
Online adverts pros and cons
Pro
- targeted marketing
- cost effective
Con
- too many choices of sites
Manufacturing pros and cons
Pro
- improved efficiency
- hazardous tasks can be performed by machinery
Con
- loss of jobs
- can’t deal with exceptions easily
Security pros and cons
Pro
- swipe cards and biometrics
- CCTV monitoring requires less staff
Con
- expensive
- privacy
Primary data
Data is gathered directly from the source, for example using a survey or from sensor readings
Secondary data
Data that already exists, for example from previous research, books. It could also be data on shopping trends.
Complete data
All the data must be there, for example, sales data that misses a months results could lead to incorrect decisions.
Accurate data
The data must be correct and truthful. This is easier to achieve from primary sources.
Questionnaire pros and cons
Pro
- gather information from a large audience in a short time
- everyone gets asked the same questions giving consistency to data
Con
- may be misinterpreted by users resulting in less reliable data
- response rate is usually low
Interview pros and cons
Pro
- follow up questions can be asked giving more understanding of questions
- honesty from respondents
Con
- a lot of time to gather data
- data is less quantitative and harder to analyse
Focus group pros and cons
Pro
- quick to gather information
- respondents will react to each others answers providing detailed data
Con
- assembling a group of people at the same time can be difficult
- qualitative data can be hard to analyse
Type check
Data must be the correct type such as the date in a date of birth field
Range check
Numerical data must be between set values. Such as ages must be between 18 and 65
Length check
Data must be less than or greater than a certain number of digits. Such as the first name must be less than 15 characters.
Format check
Data must be in the correct predefined format. Such as postcodes must be LLN NLL
Double entry check
Data must be entered twice, and both entries must match. Such as entering a password twice on a registration form.
Proofreading check
Data must be read through to ensure there are no data entry errors. Such as a check box asking you to confirm data entered is correct.
Error reduction
- automating certain aspects
- labelling input areas
- warnings when incorrect data is entered
- colour to indicate data entry
Moral and ethical issues 1
- environment
- unequal access
- online behaviour
- globalisation
- freedom of speech
- acceptable use
Moral and ethical issues 2
- health and safety
- copyright
- computer misuse
- protection of data
- privacy
- accessibility
Copyright act 1988
- protects the right of creators of original pieces of work. This prevents others distributing this work without the copyright holder’s permission.
- 10 years imprisonment
Health and safety regulations 1992
- organisations must make sure that display equipment meets health and safety standards.
- 2 years imprisonment
The copyright regulations 1992
- company board directors liable to prosecution for allowing illegally copied software to be used in their organisation.
Police and justice act 2006
- denial of service attacks.
- 10 years imprisonment
Consumer rights act 2015
- regarding goods and services including digital content.
- have the right to repair, replacement or refund for faulty digital content.
Disability discrimination acts 1995 and 2005
Equality act 2010
- website owners and hosts have obligations to make their sites accessible to all.
- service providers must provide special computer software or additional staff support to make their systems accessible, at no extra charge.
British standards institute codes of practice
- web products are accessible to users with physical impediments or learning difficulties.
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