Glossary

Week one

data capture forms are the forms we all fill in to join clubs, libraries etc. Typical data capture forms have a fill in the gaps format, often having boxes to enter details of age, name etc. The boxes force you to fill in the forms neatly. Lottery forms (cross out the numbers you want) and the fill in the gaps forms sometimes used by gas meter readers are also examples of data capture forms. The data captured on the forms is entered into a computer program.

valid data is data which falls within given boundaries. Example, a computer database age field may be set up to reject as invalid any age entries over the age of 101. Typing forty when the database needs a numeric entry i.e. 40 is another example of invalid data.

real time processing occurs when information is processed immediately. If a travel agent wants to book a seat on an airline, the airline seat booking program must record the seat as booked immediately. This prevents double booking of seats.

batch processing occurs when data is collected to be processed later. Doing a geographical survey on Tuesday and using a computer database to search and sort this information on Wednesday is an example of batch processing. Another example, an employer adds up the number of hours each employee works and uses a payroll program, at the end of the week, to calculate the wages.

optical mark recognition occurs when an optical mark reader "reads" marks on forms. Examples include multiple choice exams, driving test theory papers and National Lottery forms.

field a category in a database e.g. the database below has five fields: serial number, price paid, item manufacturer and supplier.

SERIAL NUMBER	PRICE PAID	ITEM	SUPPLIER	MANUFACTURER
36459732	£299.99	Laser printer	C.S.E. Limited	Hewlett Packard

key field this is the unique identifier for record in a database. In the example above the key field is the serial number.

recordeach database is made up of a number of records. The database above contains one record.

file a collection of records is called a file.

wide area networks (WAN) a wide area network is a computer network with network stations at geographically dispersed sites. Many insurance companies have networks to link to offices in different towns. The Internet is a wide area network.

Local area networks are networks on one site. Most school networks are local area networks.

advantages of networked databases networked databases can share files. If an estate agent has ten offices, and all ten offices share a network, all offices can have access to details of houses for sale in each office. When a house is sold the house appears as sold on all computers on the network.

Week two

Database security problems arise as a result of people gaining unauthorised access to database files. Large numbers of files can be copied quickly.
Use of passwordswell selected passwords restrict access. Passwords such as michelle or passwords which consist of words in the dictionary are easily cracked by password engine software. Some systems lock users out if the wrong password is typed in four times. If information is highly confidential passwords should be regularly changed and not written down.
user log on numbers offer greater security than user names which often consist of actual names of users.
encryptioninvolves scrambling information so that it can only be read by typing in a code to unscramble the file.
data masking involves mixing data with invalid data to confuse snoopers.e.g. a person aged 16 has their age stored as 1776.
choice of passwords. See above.
(end of fred as a password newspaper article)
Encrypted email as with encryption above.
examples of good and bad passwords as above
Saving on zip and floppy drives to increase security floppy and zip disks can be used to store database files. The disks can be locked away.
locking of doors this simple measure will prevent some unauthorised access.
locking floppy disks away see above.
firewalls to prevent hackers gaining access firewalls are software and hardware barriers to keep hackers out of your files.
dial back modems dial back to modems attempting to connect to them if the computer on the end of the phone line is recognised. Computer identified by I.P. address.
Email tracking system to detect unauthorised transfer of confidential material. Emails stored on email server and searched for confidential files.

Week three
Coding of database fields this means abbreviating data entries to save space, time and reduce possibility of spelling mistakes.
Demonstration of "shields up" software i.e. www.grc.com and problems of hackers revisited. Pupils log on to shields up.
Limitations of firewalls. Do not usually close all ports.
Importance of virus checking software and regular updating of this software virus checking software does not always track viruses and needs to be updated at least once a month.
Dangers to databases from viruses and trojans viruses can delete files and trojans can enable hackers to delete or read your files.

Week four

Data Protection Act worksheet on D.P.A.
Action taken by Internet Service Providers (ISP's) against misuse and hacking. Some ISP's seem to reluctant to act when cases of abuse are reported to them

Windows NT file security. Unix file security (brief description of relative security levels) i.e. Windows N.T. servers are often regarded as less secure than Unix servers and more prone to hacking attacks on any files stored on them.

to connect to them if the computer on the end of the phone line is recognised. Computer identified by I.P. address.
Email tracking system to detect unauthorised transfer of confidential material. Emails stored on email server and searched for confidential files.

Week three
Coding of database fields this means abbreviating data entries to save space, time and reduce possibility of spelling mistakes.
Demonstration of "shields up" software i.e. www.grc.com and problems of hackers revisited. Pupils log on to shields up.
Limitations of firewalls. Do not usually close all ports.
Importance of virus checking software and regular updating of this software virus checking software does not always track viruses and needs to be updated at least once a month.
Dangers to databases from viruses and trojans viruses can delete files and trojans can enable hackers to delete or read your files.

Week four

Data Protection Act worksheet on D.P.A.
Action taken by Internet Service Providers (ISP's) against misuse and hacking. Some ISP's seem to reluctant to act when cases of abuse are reported to them

Windows NT file security. Unix file security (brief description of relative security levels) i.e. Windows N.T. servers are often regarded as less secure than Unix servers and more prone to hacking attacks on any files stored on them.

Week three

Week four