What's that acronym?
LAN
Local Area Network
A powerful computer hosts applications and data, while smaller devices send requests to it.
Client-server network
A program spreads automatically across computers on the same network without user interaction
Worm malware + anti-virus
Trojan horse
Malware that looks like normal or useful software but causes harm after a user installs it
HTTP vs HTTPS
HTTP sends data in plain text, while HTTPS encrypts the data so it can’t be read if intercepted
ISP
Internet Service Provider
I want to connect all the computers in one room to share files quickly, cheaply, and securely.
LAN
A fake email asks a user to click a link and enter their password
Phishing + user training/email filtering
Router
Directs data from modem to the correct device on a network
Switch vs WAP
A switch connects devices using cables, while a WAP connects devices wirelessly using Wi‑Fi
VPN
Virtual Private Network
We want to be decentralized so every user can both send and receive data equally.
P2P
Files on a computer are locked, and a message appears demanding payment to unlock them
Ransomware + backups (esp. offsite)
3-2-1 strategy
3 copies of data, on 2 different storage types, with 1 copy stored off‑site
RPO vs RTO
RPO is how much data you can afford to lose, while RTO is how long you can afford systems to be offline
RPO
Recovery Point Objective
Our company has offices in multiple cities that need to be connected together privately
WAN
A USB with sensitive data is stolen
Unauthorized access + encryption
VPN
Creates an encrypted connection over the internet that makes your device act as if it is on a private network
Latency vs speed
Latency is how long data takes to travel, while speed is how much data can be sent at once
NAS
Network Attached Storage
I provide internet access to homes, schools, and businesses across a city
ISP
Hacker tries to gain access to confidential files by enterring company internal network
Unauthorized access + firewalls
DNS
Translates between human‑readable website names into IP addresses that computers use
NAS is storage you own and access on your local network, while cloud storage is hosted off‑site and accessed over the internetNAS vs Cloud
NAS is storage you own and access on your local network, while cloud storage is hosted off‑site and accessed over the internet