Topic 3: Operating online

A huge network of computers.

Services : World Wide Web (WWW) - HTTP protocol

Connect to Internet  = network interface (NIC) needed -> cable  / Wi-Fi connection + sign up with Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Selecting an ISP - things to consider:

• Cost: monthly fee + set- up cost
• Bandwidth: Higher bandwidth = Higher fee.
• Download limits: Charge extra if over the limit.
• Email and web space: Give email addresses + space to create website
• Security: Broadband, always-on, connctions vulnerable. Provide firewall, antivirus, antispam software + parental controls
• Reliability & support:  Check magaxines, online forums + user groups for advice.

• Email: Sending messages
• Instant messaging (IM): "Talking" in real time by typing messages
• Blogs: Shared online diaries.
  • Twitter - microblog
• Social networking: Chat, messaging, email, groups
  • e.g. Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Need fast Internet connection.
  • e.g. Skype
• Online albums: Photo albums hosted on website.
  • Share & back up photos.
• Keep in touch with friends through email & social networking sites.
• Download & stream music/ films
• Keep up to date with news through RSS feeds
• Access school's VLE

Business:

• Email, Instant messaging, VoIP:
  • communicating over Internet:
    • Aid collaboration.
    • Over-reliance/ misuse
• Cloud computing:
  • storing software - data centrally- acccessed anywhere:
    • No need to buy multiple software licenses.
    • Security issues - date stored by third party.
• Video conferencing: 
  • two-way audio & video transmissions:
    • Reduces travel = lowers costs.
    • Don't communicate as well as face to face.

Learning on the Internet:

• Virtual Learning Environment:
  • Web-based system - students, parents, teachers communicate in "virtual school":
    • Students access tasks + resources uploaded by teachers + Track progress.
    • Cannot access if no Internet connection.
• News websites:
  • RSS feeds- see latest stories.
  • Search archives -find old stories.
  • Over-reliance on news websites > using number of sources for research.
• User - generated websites (WIKIs):
  • websites people add own content :
    • Up-to-date information source.
    • Information may be accurate or biased.
• Email, instant messaging, VoIP:
  • Improved / quicker communication.
  • Possible over-reliance / overuse.

• Usernames & passwords:
  • not easily guessed, mixture of numbers, letters, sympols, uppercase and lower case letters.
  • Don't write it down + change it regularly.
• Challenge-response test:
  • Security question + "Secret answer"
    • used to identify yourself is password forgotten.
  • Captcha: enter letters + numbers shown.
    • Check form not completed by software "bot"/"web robot"
    • Assume no software can read letters displayed + enter them into required system.
    • Used to protect systems vulnerable to email spam.

• IP filtering:
  • Prevents data from entering a network. e.g. prevent access from certain locations.
• Policies:
  • e.g. An Acceptable Use Policy sets out the expectations of users when accessing a website or service.

Types:

• personal websites, online photo albums, forums, blogs, social networking sites, personal page on VLE / work social media platforms

Personalising by adding:

• photos, personal information, texts, weblinks, likes, dislikes, news feeds

Control who has access:

• Make online albums private - enetering email addresses of people to have access
• Don't befriend everyone who sends a friend request
• Chack & use privacy settings
• Think beofre sharing anything online

Five rules:

• Not post anything online - not made want public
• Minimise details that identify you / whereabouts
• Keep account numbers, usernames and passwords secret
• Only share screen names with people you know
• Not use apps with GPS function that share location with people that are not known

Overt data collection - know information is being collected e.g.

• Opening online account: submit personal information - Reputable companies keep data secure + won't share it - ask to opt in marketing emails
• Paying online: submit financial information - check site is secure by looking for: https or padlock

Covert data collection - don't know information is being collected e.g.

• Spyware: Hackers install software (Trojans) spy on computer
  • Record all key strokes / take pictures of screen
  • Find out personal / financial information - use to commit fraud

Controlling cookies: major privacy concern

• Accept / reject some cookies - each time cookie offered brower setted to prompt them
• Option to delete all cookies on computer

Privacy policies: describes website's use of cookies + other trackers

Phishing

• Often urgent tone to hand over information without thinking
• Golden rule: banks never contact you by email asking for secure details
• Impersonal greeting, threat, URL doesn't take you to bank website, request for personal information

Preventing spyware

• Firewall - prevent spyware - remotely downloaded to computer
• Antispyware protection software
• Wary of downloading popular "free" music + movie file-sharing programs
• Download programs from trusted websites
• Read all security warnings, licence agreements & privacy statements

Data Protection Act 1998

• Secure
• Not ask more data than necessary
• Not keep data longer than necessary
• Data accurate + up-to-date
• Not use data for any other purpose without consent.

Data protection rights

• Right to look at + check personal data organisation holds abouts you ( can be charged to access data)
• Demand incorrect information amended
• Data not used in way that harm / distress you
• Data not used for direct marketing

Computer Misuse Act 1990: three levels of crime

• Unauthorised access to computer material:
  • includes logging with password without permission
  • stealing documents and programs
• Unauthorised modification of computer material:
  • destroying / corrupting another user's files
  • modifying system files
  • creating a virus
• Unauthorised access to a computer with intent:
  • gaining access to financial / administrative records
  • using information to commit a further crime

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act:

• protects people's original work from being used without permission.
• All original work is copyright.
• Copyright owners can use Creative Commons licences - allow certain uses of work.

Consequences of illegal file sharing:

• Prosecution
• Internet Service Provider may prevent using Internet
• Sent to prison
• Huge impact on music and film industries