Chapter: 08. Online Surfing And Cyber Security
Online Surfing and Cyber Security
This chapter helps you understand how the Internet works, the many services it offers, and how to stay safe online. You’ll learn about different ways to communicate, how to keep your data secure, and what cyber threats to look out for.
INTERNET SERVICES
Internet services enable us to perform various operations and access different types of data online, including text, images, audio, video, and software.
Communication
The Internet has revolutionized communication, making it much easier to connect with people globally. You can send emails, have face-to-face conversations, share views, ideas, and videos, and stay updated on news, even adding your own comments.
E-mail
E-mail, or electronic mail, allows you to send messages and files between computers. It’s fast, often delivered within seconds, and can be sent anytime, anywhere, to multiple recipients simultaneously.
Definition: Stands for electronic mail. Send messages and files between computers. Fast delivery (seconds, depending on network speed). Can be sent anytime, anywhere. Can be sent to many people simultaneously. Popular Service Providers: Usage: Create an account, then log in to send and receive emails. Visual Aid: An example of a Gmail inbox interface shows email categories (Primary, Promotions, Social) and navigation options. Video Conferencing
Video conferencing enables you to see the person you are talking to, allowing for simultaneous audio and video communication among two or more people in different locations.
Definition: Technique of watching the person while talking to them. Participants: Can involve two or more people. Interaction: Simultaneous audio and video communication. Webcam connected to computer/laptop. Microphone connected to computer/laptop. Business: Company representatives in different locations can meet face-to-face. Education (e-learning): Brings knowledge from city teachers/lecturers to remote areas. Medical Field: Surgeons can guide surgeries remotely. Most online chat service providers offer it. Dedicated software: Google Meet, TrueConf, .
Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)
VoIP is a technology that allows calling facilities over the Internet, transferring voice, fax, and multimedia content.
Definition: Technology for calling over the Internet. Content Transfer: Used to transfer voice, fax, and multimedia. Device Compatibility: Available on smartphones, personal computers, laptops, and other Internet-enabled hardware. Less communication and infrastructure cost. Usable on various devices (PCs, laptops, mobiles). VoIP to VoIP calls are generally free. Clickipedia 1: The first VoIP service, Network Voice Protocol (NVP), was developed in 1973 by Danny Cohen. Commercial use began in 2004. Delay due to heavy Internet traffic. No connectivity to rural areas and villages. Most Common and Popular Services: Using Skype (Simplified Steps): Download and install Skype from www.skype.com. Start Skype by double-clicking its icon. Create an account if you don’t have one (by providing email, password, personal details). Check microphone and webcam settings. Add contacts to your Skype account. Select a contact and click the Call button for a voice call, or turn on your camera for a video call. Clickipedia: Skype was developed by Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis in 2003 and acquired by Microsoft in 2011. Skype Account Creation: Add New Contact Dialog:
Chatting
Online chat allows real-time communication through small messages over the Internet, similar to mobile SMS. It can be one-on-one or one-to-many.
Definition: Conversation in a friendly atmosphere via small messages over the Internet. Format: Similar to SMS service on mobiles. Participants: Can be one person to one person, or one person to many persons. Benefit: Allows free talk among people in different parts of the world. Popular Programs (Computers & Mobiles): Visual Aid: A screenshot of a WhatsApp Web chat window. Social Networking
Social networking services are platforms where people with shared interests can connect, share ideas, and exchange various forms of media.
Definition: A platform where people with common interests or activities can connect. Share views, ideas, suggestions. Share audio, video, and still images. Create groups based on common interests. Marketing hub for businesses. Giant libraries of knowledge and information (people share experiences). Drawback (for students): Generally considered a source of distraction from education. Most Popular Service: Facebook Allows storing brief profiles (about yourself, photos, likes/dislikes). See posts from friends and friends’ friends. Visual Aid: The Facebook login page. Newsgroup
A newsgroup is an online discussion forum where individuals interested in a specific topic can share their thoughts and ideas.
Definition: An online discussion group where people talk about a specific topic. Participants: All members are interested in the same topic and share thoughts/ideas. Interaction: Participants post comments/views on the topic and on others’ comments. Managed by a “News Admin.” News Admin checks comments, decides when to stop discussion, and approves comments/articles before posting.
E-Greetings
An e-greeting is a digital version of a paper greeting card, created with digital text and effects, sent via email.
Definition: Digital version of a paper greeting card. Composition: Created with digital text and effects. Form: Soft copy (viewable on monitor, not touchable). Delivery: Sent anytime through e-mails. Looks appealing with animation effects, music, images, and text. Visual Aid: Government of India’s eGreetings Portal. Viewing: Sender sends a link; receiver clicks to view in a web browser. Clickipedia: The first e-greeting card website, the Electric Postcard, was created by Judith Donath in December 1994, growing from 10-20 e-cards/day to 19,000 e-cards/day by December 1995.
E-Banking
E-banking allows for online money transfers and other banking operations using computers or smartphones, offering convenience and efficiency.
Definition: Online transfer of money and banking operations. Evolution: Replaced traditional cheque transfers, which were slow and prone to issues. Methods: Transfer funds via computer, laptop, or smartphone. ATM Facility: Part of e-banking; withdraw cash from ATM machines with automatic debit from account. Less chances of human error. Reduction in fixed infrastructure costs. Customer loyalty and satisfaction. No geographical restrictions. Reduced chances of fraud.
Self Study
