I learned a lot during this module. We covered many topics, from how to use a web browser, the strengths and weaknesses for different internet connections, TCP/IP and HTTP, the threats that comes from using a (PC) computer; such as viruses, hackers, and spyware, ways to protect your personal information, and even about domain names and their matching IP address.
Before class I never even heard of Domain names before. I didn’t know why sites site “.com” or “.edu” at the end for the URL, just that they did. I also didn’t know that IP addresses were basically coded from numbers, so I thought that was interesting.
We used Jing in this course, which I was overjoyed to work with. Before I was looking for a software that would capture my screen in both picture and video. Though I could never find a decent, reliable one without paying through the nose for it and was very frustrating.
I’ve known about viruses, spyware, malware, and hackers, though I really didn’t know much about them. I just knew that if you didn’t update a software to protect you from those threats that you could basically kiss your (PC) computer goodbye. I’m really glad that we covered the topics of malware and viruses, because I’ve seemed to be unlucky when it comes to them. So I’m very grateful for it. I also never knew that you should pay with your credit card when shopping online. I’ve always be told to be wary to give your credit card number out but I guess it is better then wiring money or paying in cash.
I liked this course; I had a general idea about most of the topics and was able to follow it well enough. I did catch myself drifting out and daydreaming a bit, but that’s always going to happen with me. I pay far more attention then anywhere else, really. I hate how I procrastinate with the internet; I got to keep an eye on it. Music can help me concentrate, though; wasting on YouTube is very counterproductive. I was a little stressed throughout the weeks, but I’m going to chalk it up to adjusting to a new environment.
Now for some super-fun-awesome-vocabulary!
A Web Portal (or just Portal), is a certain type of website that offers a way to an immense range of content and services. They are created particularly to create a starting point for viewers that just started their browsers. They offer many resources, I.e. a directory or something like the yellow pages.
Usually, a client is an application that runs on a computer and requests resources or services from another computer. A server is a computer that provides the requested resources or services.
The URL or, Uniform Resource Locator, is a unique address (AKA web address), that locates an individual web page.
The AutoComplete feature, stores the URLs that you type in the Address box, see the first few letters that you type in and suggests the best match based on the stored URLs. The feature also looks at the Favorites and History to suggest possible matches in the box.
Working offline, means that you are viewing previously loaded or saved Web pages in the browser, but you are not connect to the Internet.
A Hacker is someone who uses their computer skills to access a network and all of the computers on that network without permission.
Internet filters are hardware and/or software that filter the display of Web content based on the user settings. For example, Parental control settings configured to block questionable content.
A Malicious Web site, is a web site designed to look like a legitimate site, for example a web sit made for downloading free online games, but in reality, is owned by Hackers or online thieves who use the site’s content to steal your personal information, you’re your username and password, or to spread malicious software such as a keystroke logger, that records all of your keystrokes. The internet has a built in filter for detecting malicious sites, called SmartScreen Filter, which is always scanning web pages for malicious content unless manually turned off.
PPI, or personally identifiable information, are e-mail addresses, your name and address, or even facts about you such as health, financial, political, or religious information that you give out on the web (or companies online).
Adware is a form of spyware that gathers information and then uses said information to deliver targeted Web advertising.
…I’m a bit embarrassed on how little I knew about the Internet before this course, can’t wait for the next one. Ciao!
