Digital Law, Ethics & Intellectual Property
Copyright Laws
Legal protections that grant original creators exclusive rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, display, or adapt their creative works.
Confidentiality
accessible only to authorized individuals.
Hardware
The physical, tangible electrical circuits, components, and mechanical parts that make up a computer system.
Software
The intangible collection of instructions, programs, code scripts, and routines that direct computer hardware on how to execute tasks.
Integrity
Ensuring data remains accurate, complete, and protected against unauthorized modification.
Fair Use
A legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holder, typically for purposes such as criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.
Data Security
The collection of digital practices, tools, and protocols designed to protect digital data from unauthorized access, corruption, or theft across its entire lifecycle.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The primary processor and "brain" of the computer that fetches, interprets, and executes software instructions and coordinates other system components.
Operating System (OS)
The foundational system software that manages computer hardware resources (CPU, RAM, storage, peripherals), organizes file systems, and provides common background services for application software.
Availability
Ensuring authorized users have reliable, uninterrupted access to systems and information when needed.
Intellectual Property (IP)
Creations of the human mind protected by law, including inventions, literary and artistic works, designs, symbols, names, and images used in commerce.
Encryption
The cryptographic mathematical process of transforming readable data (plaintext) into an unreadable scrambled format (ciphertext) that can only be unlocked with a secret
Memory (RAM - Random Access Memory)
High-speed, volatile temporary storage used by the CPU to hold the operating system, running applications, and active data currently in use.
Application / App
Specialized software designed to help an end-user accomplish specific tasks or activities, distinct from the core operating system.
Spyware
Malicious software covertly installed on a system to track user activity, log keystrokes, intercept web browsing habits, and harvest sensitive personal data without the user's
Common (Public Domain / Creative Commons)
Intellectual and creative works that are either free of copyright restrictions (Public Domain) or shared under open licenses that permit free use and adaptation under
Malware
An umbrella term (short for "malicious software") encompassing any code, program, or script deliberately engineered to compromise, disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to computer systems.
Storage
Non-volatile digital media designed to preserve operating systems, softwareprograms, user files, and media long-term, even when the computer is turned off.
Driver
A specialized system utility program that enables the operating system and software applications to communicate and interact smoothly with specific connected hardware peripherals.
Ransomware
Software that automatically displays, plays, or downloads unwanted advertising materials onto a computer or browser, often slowing down system performance.
Software Piracy
The unauthorized copying, downloading, distribution, or commercial use of copyrighted software programs.
Virus
A specific category of malware that attaches its malicious code to a legitimate host program or file and replicates itself across a system or network when the host file is executed.
Peripheral
Any auxiliary external hardware device connected to a computer system to expand its input, output, or storage capabilities.
User Interface (UI)
The visual layout, screens, menus, buttons, icons, and interactive elements through which a human user interacts with and controls a computer or software program.
Phishing
A form of social engineering where attackers impersonate trustworthy institutions (such as banks, schools, or tech support) via deceptive emails, text messages, or websites to trick individuals into divulging sensitive credentials.