CGS1060 Chapter 5 – Flashcards
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attenuation
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The loss of intensity and clarity of a transmitted data signal.
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authentication
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A security measure used to confirm an individual's identity.
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authorization
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A security measure used to give individuals a certain level of access based on who they are.
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bandwidth
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In networks, it refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a given amount of time.
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botnet
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Massive networks of zombies that can be used by a hacker to spread malware, send spam, and conduct carefully orchestrated network attacks.
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bridge
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A device that connects two LANs or two segments of the same LAN; looks at the information in each packet header and forwards data traveling from one LAN to another.
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coaxial cable
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A cable that consists of a single copper wire that is surrounded by insulation and a wire mesh shield.
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countermeasure
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Any step you take to ward off a threat.
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cybercrime
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The use of a computer and/or network to commit a variety of crimes, such as creating viruses or disrupting networks.
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cyberterrorism
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A dangerous form of hacking that seeks to create large-scale chaos and damage to a country's infrastructure.
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data mining
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The discovery of new patterns or relationships between data.
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data validation
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A method for checking and improving the reliability of data.
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data warehouse
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A central repository where records from multiple databases are stored.
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decision support system (DSS)
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A special application that collects and reports certain types of data, thus helping managers make better decisions.
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distributed denial-of-service (DDoS)
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A network attack that attempts to shut down or block access to websites or other network resources by overwhelming them with requests.
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Ethernet
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The most common physical standard for local area networks.
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expert system
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A type of information system that performs analytical tasks traditionally done by a human, using sequences of questions to ask and actions to take based on the responses to those questions.
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extranet
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A service that allows organizations to share some of its intranet resources with people outside the organization.
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fault-tolerant
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Systems that are able to continue their operation even when problems are present.
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fiber-optic cable
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A high-speed cable that consists of a thin strand of glass that transmits pulsating beams of light rather than electric current.
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gateway
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A node on a network that serves as an entrance to another network. It helps one network understand the packet headers from another network.
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hacker
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In the negative sense, this term refers to an individual who uses a computer and/or network to commit a variety of crimes, such as creating viruses and disrupting computer networks.
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hacktivism
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Hacking with a social or political agenda.
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hub
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A basic network device that provides multiple ports for connecting nodes.
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identity theft
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A type of crime in which criminals essentially assume your identity and begin to open new bank accounts under your name.
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information system (IS)
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A complex system for acquiring, storing, organizing, using, and sharing data and information.
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interoperability
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The ability of each organization's information system to work with the other, sharing data and services.
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intranet
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An internal version of the Internet containing information that is restricted to a particular company's employees.
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local area network (LAN)
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A data communication system consisting of multiple devices that are relatively near each other and are connected using cables or wireless media.
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malware
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A generic term to describe various kinds of malicious programs created to harm a computer or steal valuable information.
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management information system (MIS)
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A set of software tools that enables managers to gather, organize, and evaluate information.
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mission-critical
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Systems that must run without failure or with nearly instant recovery from failure.
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network
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A connection between computers that allows users to communicate and share information.
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network interface card (NIC)
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A computer component that translates and transmits network packets.
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network media
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The means used to link parts of a computer network.
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node
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A connection point within a network.
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office automation system
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A type of information system that is designed to manage information in an office environment and help users handle certain information-related tasks more efficiently.
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packet
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Pieces of a message broken down into small units by the sending device and reassembled by the receiving device in a network.
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phishing
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Luring individuals into entering personal information into a website controlled by a hacker.
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pretexting
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Gaining someone's trust by pretending you are someone else.
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protocol
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A set of rules or standards that must be followed by computers that wish to communicate over a network.
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RAID
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A storage system that links any number of disk drives (a disk array) so that they act as a single disk.
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redundant
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Computers that have multiple hardware systems performing the same task at the same time.
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repeater
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A network device used to prevent attenuation when packets are traveling long distances.
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risk assessment
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Identifying and examining possible threats to a computer system.
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rogue hotspot
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A wireless access point set up by a hacker in a public area to intercept users' communication.
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router
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A complex device that stores the routing information for networks. It looks at each packet's header to determine where the packet should go, then determines the best route for the packet to take toward its destination.
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scalability
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The capacity to provide increasing amounts of computing power, storage, and/or software.
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scareware
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A type of scam whose goal is to scare the user into doing exactly what the thief wants.
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social engineering
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A form of hacking that focuses on deceiving individuals into giving away the information that the thief needs.
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spyware
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Malware that reports activity on your computer to another party.
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strong password
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A password that is difficult for thieves to guess or crack.
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surge protector
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An inexpensive product that guards connected equipment against large power spikes or surges that may infrequently occur.
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switch
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A network device that is similar to a hub, but it is aware of the exact address or identity of all the nodes attached to it, thereby increasing the efficiency of the network.
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tape library
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A large storage unit that houses multiple tape drives.
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threat
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Anything that can cause harm.
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topology
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The logical layout of the cables and devices that connect the nodes of the network.
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transaction processing system (TPS)
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A type of information system that handles the processing and tracking of transactions.
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Trojan horse
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A program that disguises itself as an interesting, useful, or desirable program in order to gain access to your system.
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twisted-pair cable
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A cable that consists of four pairs of wires that are twisted around each other. Each copper wire is insulated in plastic, and all wires are collectively bound together in a layer of plastic.
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uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
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A device that contains both a surge protector and rechargeable battery, allowing your computer system to run for a limited amount of time during a power failure.
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virtual private network (VPN)
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A type of connection that increases the security of network communication by employing a method called "tunneling", whereby each packet from the sending computer is encapsulated within another packet.
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virus
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A type of malware that is attached to a host file and has the ability to replicate, or copy, itself.
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vulnerability
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A weakness that has not been protected against threats, thereby making it open to harm.
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wide area network (WAN)
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The connection of two or more central computers or LANs, generally across a wide geographical area.
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Wi-Fi
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The most popular standard for wireless networking; also called "802.11".
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wireless access point (WAP)
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Connects single or multiple PCs in the wireless environment.
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wireless adapter
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A piece of hardware that is plugged into a desktop computer to gain Wi-Fi access.
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wireless network
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A type of connection whereby communication takes place using radio waves.
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worm
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A type of malware that self-replicates and spreads through computers and networks without the need to attach to a host file.
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zombie
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An infected and compromised computer that is under the external control of a hacker, usually without the knowledge of the computer's owner.
