Understanding the Digital World: What You Need to Know about Computers, the Internet, Privacy, and Security
- ISBN-10
- 069117654X
- ISBN-13
- 9780691176543
- Category
- Computers
- Pages
- 256
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2017-01-24
- Publisher
- Princeton University Press
- Author
- Brian W. Kernighan
Description
The basics of how computer hardware, software, and systems work, and the risks they create for our privacy and security Computers are everywhere. Some of them are highly visible, in laptops, tablets, cell phones, and smart watches. But most are invisible, like those in appliances, cars, medical equipment, transportation systems, power grids, and weapons. We never see the myriad computers that quietly collect, share, and sometimes leak vast amounts of personal data about us. Through computers, governments and companies increasingly monitor what we do. Social networks and advertisers know far more about us than we should be comfortable with, using information we freely give them. Criminals have all-too-easy access to our data. Do we truly understand the power of computers in our world? Understanding the Digital World explains how computer hardware, software, networks, and systems work. Topics include how computers are built and how they compute; what programming is and why it is difficult; how the Internet and the web operate; and how all of these affect our security, privacy, property, and other important social, political, and economic issues. This book also touches on fundamental ideas from computer science and some of the inherent limitations of computers. It includes numerous color illustrations, notes on sources for further exploration, and a glossary to explain technical terms and buzzwords. Understanding the Digital World is a must-read for all who want to know more about computers and communications. It explains, precisely and carefully, not only how they operate but also how they influence our daily lives, in terms anyone can understand, no matter what their experience and knowledge of technology.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2021-03-30
- 301 pages
- Ebook
- Princeton University Press
-
- 2021-03-30
- 304 pages
- Paperback
- Princeton University Press
Similar books
-
Family History Digital Libraries
By William Sims BainbridgeOne named Sara and Timberlake had 11 male workers, 1 female worker, and 4 children workers, so it might have employed the Minor family.
-
Foundation Dreamweaver MX
By Craig Grannell, Jerome Turner, Matt StephensSo here's what we need to do to arrive at our layout: s Create the main table to hold all the page elements. s Deal with the navigation area which is ...
-
Cisco CCNA Certification, 2 Volume Set: Exam 200-301
By Todd LammleThis inclusive, two-book set provides what you need to know to succeed on the new CCNA exam. The set includes Understanding Cisco Networking Technologies: Volume 1 and the CCNA Certification Study Guide: Volume 2.
-
CompTIA Network+ Study Guide: Exam N10-006
By Todd Lammle... you can use: –a –A –c –n –r –R –S –s All nbtstat switches are case sensitive. Generally speaking, lowercase switches deal with NetBIOS names of hosts, ...
-
CompTIA Network+ Study Guide with Online Labs: N10-007 Exam
By Todd Lammle, Jon Buhagiar... you can use: –a –A –c –n –r –R –S –s All nbtstat switches are case sensitive. Generally speaking, lowercase switches deal with NetBIOS names of hosts, ...
-
CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associate FastPass
By Todd LammleS The S reference point defines the point between the customer router and an ... with the letter E deal with using ISDN on the existing telephone network.
-
Stranger in the Chat Room
By Todd Hafer, Jedd HaferA sequel to In the Chat Room With God finds a group of teens contacted by a mysterious and increasingly malevolent character who claims to know about their encounters with the Almighty and challenges their beliefs. Original.
-
Error Correction Coding: Mathematical Methods and Algorithms
By Todd K. MoonM M−1∑ k=0 −∞ ∞ k=0 The average energy per signal E s ∫ can be related to the ... we will deal primarily with additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), ...
-
Security+ Training Guide
By Todd King... to deal with most , but unfortunately not all , of these potential threats . ... The S / MIME standard implements encryption for message content using ...
-
CCDA: Cisco Certified Design Associate Study Guide: Exam 640-861
By Todd Lammle, Andy BarklS reference point The S reference point defines the reference point between ... with the letter E deal with using ISDN on the existing telephone network.