NETWORKING (PART 1)
- What is networking??
Networking means the process of connecting or interacting with others to exchange information between two or more devices (like computers, phones, servers) so they can share data.
- Why networking is so important in Cyber security?
Basics Networking is so important to understand because hackers use networks to steal data, spread viruses or attack other computers. So that complete and better understanding is mandatory
Basics of Networking & Terms You MUST Know
| Term | Simple Meaning | Real-Life Example |
| IP Address | Its like a specific home address for your device | Every system has its own unique IP, like 192.168.1.1 |
| Router | Directs traffic between devices and the internet | Like a postman sending letters to the correct house |
| Server | A powerful computer that gives data to other computers | Like a restaurant kitchen sending food (data) to tables (users) |
| Client | A device asking for data | Your phone opening Instagram is a client |
| Firewall | A security guard that blocks unwanted data | Like a bouncer at a club, only letting in who’s allowed |
| LAN (Local Area Network) | Small network in one area | Home Wi-Fi is a LAN |
| WAN (Wide Area Network) | Big network, spread far | The Internet is a WAN |
| DNS (Domain Name System) | Converts website names into IP addresses | Like a phone book turning “google.com” into numbers |
| Packet | Small piece of data sent over a network | Like sending a book page-by-page in envelopes |
The above image shows how networking works, and give better basics of networking.
How hackers try to attack, and how networking helps to stop them?
| Hacker Attack | What It Means | How Networking Knowledge Helps |
| Man-in-the-middle | Hacker listens to your private chats | Learn to use encrypted networks |
| DDoS | Hacker overloads a server with traffic | Use firewalls and load balancers |
| Phishing | Fake (links)websites to steal info | Know how DNS (domain name system) works to spot fake domains |
| Port Scanning | Hacker looks for open “ports” (server that is used to send and receive data over a network) in your system | Use firewall, close unneeded ports, monitor traffic, port scanner tool (like Nmap) are used to check which ports are open. E.g, HTTP, HTTPS (secure port) |
- ROUTER.
A router sends data between devices and connects your home network to the internet. It decides where data goes, like a traffic director or postman.
- IP ADRESS.
IP address is a unique number that identifies a device on a network
Types of Networking
- LAN.
(Local Area Network): Small, limited area (home, school, office).
- WAN.
(Wide Area Network): Covers a large distance, the internet is the biggest WAN.
- FIREWALL.
A firewall is like a security guard of the system, a security system that controls the traffic of outgoing and incoming in system.
- PACKETS.
When we send any kind of data like image, document, video etc, that will be broken into small pieces, it is called as packets. These packets travel through the internet and are reassembled at the destination through TCP/IP
- SERVERS.
A server is a large/big powerful computer that stores all kind of data and provide data or services to other systems is called as Server.
Actually that was it for today, and next part of Networking will be shared in next blog. Learning & basic understanding of networking is compulsory so stay tuned for next part and do read the previous day for better learnings. https://munazajameel.site/cybersecurity-tools-for-beginners-day-3/
I’ll see you in the next one! for the next part of basics of Networking.
