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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

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