Edexcel GCSE Computer Science key terms

A mesh network in which some, but not all, devices connect directly to every other device.

One traversal through a list, or the section being processed, carrying out the algorithm’s comparisons.

A secret value supplied by a user as evidence that they own an account.

A software update that corrects errors or fixes security vulnerabilities.

A granted legal right protecting an invention and allowing its owner to prevent others from making, using or selling it without permission.

A validation check that input follows a required format, such as letters and digits in specified positions.

Authorised testing that attempts to exploit weaknesses in a system's security so that they can be identified and fixed.

The control of peripheral devices, such as keyboards, monitors and printers, by the operating system.

A rule controlling what a user is allowed to do with a resource, such as read, edit or delete a file.

Information relating to an identified or identifiable living person, including information that identifies them when combined with other data.

A security incident involving personal data being lost, destroyed, improperly altered or disclosed to someone who should not receive it.

Using fraudulent communications that appear trustworthy to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or following malicious links.

Measures designed to prevent unauthorised people from physically accessing network equipment, such as servers and desktop computers.

The smallest individual element of a bitmap image. Each pixel has a single colour.

The blocky appearance that can occur when a bitmap image is enlarged enough for its individual pixels to become noticeable.

Post Office Protocol version 3: rules for retrieving email from a server by downloading messages to a device for local access.

The ability to use a program on different computer systems with little or no change to its source code, provided suitable language support and required resources are available.

A condition that must be satisfied before an algorithm can work correctly, such as sorted input for binary search.

A validation check that required input has been supplied rather than left empty.

Using an invented situation or identity to persuade someone to reveal information or take an action. Also called blagging.

A basic data type representing a single value, such as an integer, real, Boolean or character.

A person's ability to keep aspects of their life private and have control over access to information about them.

A subprogram that performs a task without returning a result to the code that called it.

A program loaded into main memory so that it can be executed.

Any action involving personal data, including collecting, storing, using, sharing or deleting it.

The allocation of finite resources, including CPU time and main memory, between competing processes.

Software controlled by its owner and supplied under a restrictive licence, normally without access to its source code or permission to modify it.