The internet and its uses

5.1 The internet and the world wide web

Candidates should be able to:

1. Understand the difference between the internet and the world wide web

Note and guidance

• The internet is the infrastructure
• The world wide web is the collection of websites and web pages accessed using the internet

2. Understand what is meant by a uniform resource locator (URL)

Note and guidance

• A URL is a text-based address for a web page; it can contain the protocol, the domain name and the web page/file name

3. Describe the purpose and operation of hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and hypertext transfer protocol secure (HTTPS)

4. Explain the purpose and functions of a web browser

Note and guidance

• The main purpose of a web browser is to render hypertext markup language (HTML) and display web pages

• Functions include:
  • storing bookmarks and favourites
  • recording user history
  • allowing use of multiple tabs
  • storing cookies
  • providing navigation tools
  • providing an address bar

5. Describe how web pages are located, retrieved and displayed on a device when a user enters a URL

Note and guidance

• Including the role of: – the web browser - IP addresses - domain name server (DNS) - web server - HTML

6. Explain what is meant by cookies and how they are used, including session cookies and persistent cookies

Note and guidance

• Cookies are used for functions, including:
  • saving personal details
  • tracking user preferences
  • holding items in an online shopping cart
  • storing login details

5.2 Digital currency

Candidates should be able to:

1. Understand the concept of a digital currency and how digital currencies are used

Note and guidance

• A digital currency is one that only exists electronically

2. Understand the process of blockchain and how it is used to track digital currency transactions

Note and guidance

• Blockchain, in its basic form, is a digital ledger, that is a time-stamped series of records that cannot be altered

5.3 Cyber security

Candidates should be able to:

1. Describe the processes involved in, and the aim of carrying out, a range of cyber security threats

Note and guidance

• Including:
  • brute-force attack
  • data interception
  • distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack
  • hacking
  • malware (virus, worm, Trojan horse, spyware, adware, ransomware)
  • pharming
  • phishing
  • social engineering

2. Explain how a range of solutions are used to help keep data safe from security threats

Note and guidance

• Including:
  • access levels
  • anti-malware including anti-virus and anti-spyware
  • authentication (username and password, biometrics, two-step verification)
  • automating software updates
  • checking the spelling and tone of communications
  • checking the URL attached to a link
  • firewalls
  • privacy settings
  • proxy-servers
  • secure socket layer (SSL) security protocol