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