Computer Concepts Terms

modem

(short for "modulator-demodulator") is a device that connects a user to the Internet.

network

2 or more devices or computers connected together

dual-band router

A Wi-Fi router that can operate on either 2.4GHz or 5GHz. 5GHz offers faster speed but it has less penetration power and travels a shorter distance.

fiber-optic cable

A cable that transmits data at close to the speed of light along glass or plastic fibers.

wide area network (WAN)

A network that connects devices in geographically separated areas.

EDI (electronic data interchange)

A set of standards for exchanging messages containing formatted data between computer applications.

coaxial cable

A single copper wire surrounded by layers of plastic insulation and sheathing; used mainly in cable television and cable Internet service.

Network Address Translation (NAT)

A technique that allows private IP addresses to be used on the public Internet.

media access control (MAC)

An address for communications on the physical network segment.

script kiddie

An attacker with little expertise or sophistication. Script kiddies use existing scripts to launch attacks.

top level domain

Domains (including .net, .org, .com, .mil. and the set .xx country codes) at the end of a domain name are the highest level of the domain name hierarchy.

digital millennium copyright act (DMCA)

Makes it illegal to circumvent technology-based protections of copyrighted materials

RAM (random access memory)

Memory modules on the motherboard containing microchips used to temporarily hold data and programs while the CPU processes both. Information in RAM is lost when the PC is turned off.

supercomputer

Most powerful computers; can evaluate complex data very quickly

Operating system (OS)

Software used to control the computer and its peripheral equipment; most important software on computer

data analyst

Someone who collects, transforms, and organizes data in order to draw conclusions, make predictions, and drive informed decision-making

EFT (electronic funds transfer)

The process of exchanging account information electronically over private communications networks; also known as wire transfers.

circuit switching

Used by the public switched telephone network to send data over a physical end-to-end circuit.

database record

a collection of related fields in a data file

dot pitch

a description of the quality of an image produced by a monitor or television screen

software license

a legal document that governs the use of redistribution of software

hacktivism

act of hacking or breaking into a computer system for politically or socially motivated purpose

native resolution

actual number of pixels of the display device

bit

aka binary digit; basic unit of digital data storage

solid state drive (SSD)

all-electronic storage devices; used in smartphones, cameras, tablets, etc.

wireless ports

allow the transmission of data between fixed and mobile devices using short-range radio waves or light waves

remote access

allowing users to use a secure network from remote sites

syncing

allows copies of files form one device being placed in another device

3D printer

allows designers to create three-dimensional objects from a computer image

virtual private network (VPN)

allows for encrypted communication using the internet as the pathway for data transmission and communication

MIDI Port (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)

allows interface and connectivity of digital musical devices to computers

redundant array of independent discs (RAID)

allows you to store data redundantly in a structured way to improve overall system performance

color depth

also known as bit depth or color bit depth; indicates the accuracy of the color of each pixel

bus width

amount of data that can be transmitted at a given time

cyberattack

an attempt to damage or disrupt computer systems or electronic networks operated by computers

database

an organized collection of data; includes structuring data with tools to manage the data

LED display (light emitting diode)

are LCDs with a screen of white LEDs to backlight the display

VGA connector (video graphic array)

are analog connectors that were very popular for connecting monitors and televisions to computers during 1990s

ergonomics

art of designing products that present info in the most useful way

decision support systems (DSS)

assist mid-level and upper-level managers, provide inventory data, customer databases, and production level info

denial of service attacks (DoS)

attack on a network is designed to interrupt of stop network traffic by flooding it with too many requests

biometric recognition

biometrics which means "life measure" uses human traits for identification (everyone should have the trait, but it must be unique to each individual)

acceptable user policy (AUP)

businesses establish this to provide guidance on network usage

ethernet cable

cable that connects computers to the LAN that allows the computers to communicate with each other and other peripherals.

snipping tool

can be used to capture a screenshot, or snip, of any object on your screen

resolution

clarity of an image

supply chain management software (SCMS)

combines record keeping of transaction processing systems with the forecasting capabilities of decision support systems to help businesses manage inventories efficiently

ASCII (American standard code for info)

common encoding standard

unicode

common encoding standard that is capable of representing all of the world's languages (most common)

foreign key

common field between tables that is not the primary key

optical mark recognition (OMR)

commonly found on standardized tests

aspect ratio

compares the height of a screen or monitor by its width

server

computer system in a network that is shared by multiple users aka host computers - network server: used to control access to resources such as printers and applications on a network - web server: used to control access to resources on web - file server: used for data storage

botnet

computer that has been secretly taken over by an outside and programmed to perform a variety of damaging tasks

zombie

computer that has been secretly taken over by an outsider and programmed to perform a variety of damaging tasks

mainframe

computers that are more powerful than servers and used by organizations to process large amounts of data

net neutrality

concept that ISPs must permit data to be transmitted and accessed by users without regard to the data's content or amount of bandwidth required to transmit the data

switch

connect devices within the same network

tethering

connected one digital device to another digital device (ex: hotspot)

base transceiver station

connected to a cell tower; sends cell phone signals to mobile switching station

intellectual property

consists of human knowledge and ideas that are protected by law against unauthorized use by others

plasma display

create images with pixels made of red, green, and blue cells; cells contain ionized gas

router

critical part of home network; connect networks

universal resource locators (URL)

describes how to access a specific web page

broadband

describes internet service that is always connected

server based network

designed to have individual computers and devices connect through a central server computer

BitTorrent

designed to transfer large files from one or multiple computers or networks to another computer or network

hard drive

desktop computers primary storage device; uses spinning magnetized platters to save data and info

computer worms

destructive program that replicates itself throughout a single computer or across a network

lightning connector

developed by apple for use in ipod, ipads, iphones, and apple watch docks

computer peripherals

devices that connect to computers to add function or use

bus

electronic pathway connecting computer parts

data corruption

errors in data occurring while entering, reading, processing, storing, or transmitting data

wire-wire scam

essentially email fraud

IrDA (infrared data association)

establishes protocols for infrared communication transfer (often used with wireless mouse, keyboard, remote control)

input devices

facilitate getting data and signals into computer

disk cleanup

helps free up space on your hard disk, creating improved system performance

cache

high-speed storage usually located directly on CPU; smaller but faster than RAM

domain name

identifies specific server or site on a specific server on internet (www.ucla.edu)

phishing

illegitimate use of an email message that appears to be from an established organization

optical scanner

image scanners turn hardcopy, such as paper document, into a digital format that can be viewed or manipulated on a computer

optical media

includes DVDs, blu-ray discs

information systems (IS) technician

installs IS hardware and software, maintains IS hardware and software, and repairs/replaces IS hardware and software

near field communication (NFC)

is a wireless technology with a short transmission range that is included in new smartphones and other devices including tablets and home appliances

firewall

is hardware or software used to protect a computer from outside threats such as hackers and viruses

speed (clock rate)

is the speed at which the processor performs the operations required to run a digital device and instructions executed by the digital device

The Software Alliance (BSA)

leading advocate against software piracy

optical character recognition (OCR)

like a document scanning technology on steroids; allow any text even handwritten scrawls to be digitized

control unit

locates, analyzes, and executes each program instruction residing in memory

ransomware

malware that makes a computer's data inaccessible until a ransom is paid

barcode readers

measures laser's reflection; black bars of the universal product code (UPC) absorb more laser light than the surrounding area

packet switching

method of transferring info that differs from circuit switching because data transfer doesn't rely on dedicated physical path

MEMS chip

microphones change sound waves into electrical signals

LCD (liquid crystal display)

most common type of display for computer monitors; uses molecules to either block of allow light to pass through filters

local area network (LAN)

network of computers connected in a small geographic area such as an office or college campus

SAGE switching

network tied these stations together (soviet attack)

data theft

occurs when someone steals info from a company's network

primary key

one or more fields that uniquely identifies each record (student ID)

system unit

part of computer that houses the motherboard (aka chassis or tower)

ALU (arithmetic logic unit)

performs logic and mathematical tasks

Computer hardware

physical elements including the computer's processor, money, storage, parts, and peripheral devices

inkjet printer

print by spraying droplets of ink onto the substrate, usually paper

thermal printer

printer; paper turns black when heated

intruder detection system (IDS)

protect networks using several techniques (alerts, halts, blocks, etc.)

enterprise support system (ESS)

provide info for senior managers (presidents and CEOs)

Internet service provider (ISP)

provide internet access for a fee

digital subscriber line (DSL)

provides high-speed digital data transmission over standard telephone lines using broadband modem technology, allowing both Internet and telephone services to work over the same phone lines

utility software

provides maintenance support for a digital device, enables users to analyze and optimize devices

system software

provides the structure and control necessary to run the computer and its peripheral devices

twisted pair cable

refers to a type of cable composed of four (or more) copper wires twisted around each other within a plastic sheath

word size

refers to amount of data a processor can hold and process at one time

output

refers to anything created with a computer

frame rate

refers to how frequently a frame in a video is advanced

sampling rate

refers to the accuracy of a digital recording

contrast ratio

refers to the difference in the brightness of an image created on a display

ping

request for a respone

database query

request for info from a database

optical drive

require a relatively large amount of space and use more electricity than solid state drives; for these reasons, many laptops do not come with optical drives

overclocking

running the processor faster than recommended by the manufacturer

e-commerce

selling products and services via the web

protocol

set of rules for communication between devices that determines how data are transmitted and recieved

bluetooth

short-distance wireless communication technology that uses relatively short-wavelength radio waves to transfer data

ports

slot or hole that matches the cord or expansion card being connected to the port

applets (little applications)

small application programs that are often utility programs performing less-complex operational functions

cookies

small text file of info created by websites you visit that is stored by web browser on computer's hard disk

pixel

smallest element in an electronic image and is simply a dot on the screen of a display device (red, blue, and green dot)

management information systems (MIS)

software that assists managers in improving efficiency and effectiveness

adware

software that collects the user's web browsing history

packet analyzers (sniffer)

specialized hardware or software that capture packets transmitted over a network

refresh rate

speed at which each pixel is updated

HDMI port

standard interface for audio-video connectivity

internet piracy

stealing of copyrighted software

ROM (read-only memory)

storage area in a digital device that is installed by the digital device manufacturer; not generally rewritable

optical drive

storage device that writes and reads data using lasers

CD

store data on a plastic disc with a reflective voting

DVD

stores info with a reflective coating on a plastic disc

information systems (IS) program manager

supervises and directs IS technicians

CPU (central processing unit)

the brain of the computer where most calculations take place, most important hardware component, located on main circuit board (mother board)

netiquette

the correct or acceptable way of communicating on the Internet.

copyrights

the exclusive legal rights of authors, composers, playwrights, artists, and publishers to publish and disperse their work as they see fit

database administrator (DBA)

the person responsible for coordinating, controlling, and managing the database

storage media

the technology that retains the data

transmission media

the wireless means of carrying an internet signal

transaction processing systems (TPS)

track an organization's sales and inventories data

USB port

type of interface that enables communication between digital devices

rootkit

type of malware that hides in the OS and is triggered each time you boot your computer

pharming

type of phishing that seeks to obtain personal info through malicious software that is inserted in a victim's computer

byte

unit of digital info that commonly consists of 8 bits

organic light emitting diode (OLED)

use red, green, and blue LEDs to create each pixel

laser printer

use relatively inexpensive toner rather than liquid ink; faster when printing multiple copies

ethernet port

used for local area networks or for connecting devices in home networks

magnetic ink recognition (MICR)

used on checks; can be quickly processed by cashiers and banks

radio frequency identification (RFID)

used radio waves to transmit data to a scanner

microwaves

used to carry telephone and internet signals over long distances (travel in waves)

hertz

used to measure frequency or how often something occurs

plotter

used to print large graphic images such as designs of buildings, machinery, and ships

cybercrime

uses computers and the internet to launch attacks against computer systems for political or ideological reasons

blu-ray

uses shorter wavelength "blue" laser so that it can store more data

bandwidth

volume of data that can be carried in an amount of time

storage

where data is kept when not being used by processor (allows computers to retain data when device is turned off)

wi-fi

wireless local area network

creative commons

world wide non profit organization where people can create shareable materials

intel

world's largest manufacturer of processor