Networks and Internet covers how computers communicate, network types and topologies, protocols, the internet, and cybersecurity — protecting systems from threats.
LAN (Local Area Network): small area (building), owned by one organisation. WAN (Wide Area Network): large geographical area, may use third-party infrastructure. Network hardware: router (forwards packets between networks, uses IP addresses), switch (connects devices in LAN, uses MAC addresses), NIC (hardware in device for network connection), WAP (wireless access point). Client-server: central server provides services. Peer-to-peer: all devices equal, share resources.
Star: all devices connected to central switch/hub. Advantages: one failure doesn\'t affect others, easy to add devices. Disadvantage: switch failure brings down network. Bus: single backbone cable, terminators at ends. Cheap but slow (collisions). Mesh: every device connected to every other device — redundant paths, expensive. Protocols: TCP/IP (reliable data transfer), HTTP/HTTPS (web pages), FTP (file transfer), SMTP/POP/IMAP (email), DNS (domain name → IP address). Packet switching: data split into packets, routed independently, reassembled at destination.
Threats: malware (virus, worm, trojan, spyware, ransomware), phishing (fake emails/websites), social engineering, brute force attacks, denial of service (DoS). Prevention: firewalls (monitor/filter traffic), encryption (scramble data — only authorised users can decrypt), strong passwords, two-factor authentication, biometrics, access control, regular updates/patches, anti-malware software, staff training. Data should be backed up following the 3-2-1 rule (3 copies, 2 media types, 1 off-site).
The internet is the global network of interconnected computer networks — the physical infrastructure (cables, routers, servers) that allows devices worldwide to communicate using protocols like TCP/IP. The World Wide Web (WWW) is a service that runs on the internet — it is a collection of web pages and resources accessed using web browsers via HTTP/HTTPS. Other internet services include email (SMTP/POP), file transfer (FTP), and video calling. The web was invented by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989, while the internet has existed since the 1960s (ARPANET).
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