Network basics
This section will examine the network basics by explaining how they work in local networks. An explanation of protocols, how the internet works, common network attacks, and how firewalls work is provided in Chapter 12. It also reveals how to connect securely and anonymously to the internet via a Virtual Private Network (VPN). What is important to know here is that a protocol is a set of rules for the network messages’ contents and sequences. A message is a small data packet sent over the network. We exchange thousands of packets when we access servers, other computers, and websites. Without a protocol, we can’t communicate over a network.
IP stands for Internet Protocol, and an IP address is the unique identifier for a computer in a network. A network, wireless or cable-based, connects many computers and devices. The internet is the ultimate network of networks, connecting small local networks with public networks and servers.
We need a cable or wireless...
