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The Internet
Official AQA 7517 section 4.9.3.
0
Objectives
10
Flashcards
10
Questions
64 min
Study time
AqaA LevelComputer ScienceFundamentals of communication and networking
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The Internet and how it works1 objectives
- The Internet and how it works: Understand the structure of the Internet. Understand the role of packet switching and routers. Know the main components of a packet. Define: • router • gateway. Consider where and why they are used. Explain how routing is achieved across the Internet. Describe the term 'uniform resource locator' (URL) in the context of internetworking. Explain the terms ‘fully qualified domain name’ (FQDN), ‘domain name’ and ‘IP address’. Describe how domain names are organised. Understand the purpose and function of the domain service and its reliance on the Domain Name Server (DNS) system. Explain the service provided by Internet registries and why they are needed.
Internet security1 objectives
- Internet security: Understand how a firewall works (packet filtering, proxy server, stateful inspection). Explain symmetric and asymmetric (private/ public key) encryption and key exchange. Explain how digital certificates and digital signatures are obtained and used. 84 Discuss worms, trojans and viruses, and the vulnerabilities that they exploit. Discuss how improved code quality, monitoring and protection can be used to address worms, trojans and viruses.
Key terms
GatewayInternet registryStateful inspectionAsymmetric encryption
Exam tips
- Link each term to its function: When explaining Internet terminology, state what the item is and what it does. For example, identify a router as a device and then explain that it forwards packets between networks.
- Link each security measure to its purpose: When explaining a firewall, encryption method or malware mitigation, state both what it does and the security problem it addresses.
Common mistakes
- Confusing DNS with a router: DNS provides the service of associating domain names with IP addresses using Domain Name Servers. Routers forward packets between networks.
- Confusing encryption with digital signatures: Explain that a digital signature provides evidence about the origin of data and whether it has been changed. Encryption is used to provide secrecy.
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