Technology Trends Blog

  Introduction Information and system security are critical for both individuals and organizations in today’s digital world. Cybercriminals constantly develop new ways to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information, disrupt operations, and steal valuable data. Two common security threats are phishing (including smishing) and computer viruses. These threats exploit vulnerabilities in both technology and human behavior, making them difficult to prevent entirely. Understanding how these attacks occur, the damage they can cause, and the methods available to protect against them is essential for maintaining secure computer systems and networks. This paper examines phishing and smishing attacks as well as computer viruses, discusses why systems are vulnerable to these threats, describes their impact, and provides recommendations for protection.   Phishing and Smishing Phishing is a cyberattack that uses fraudulent emails, websites, or messages to trick individuals into...

  I have chosen the education industry because I currently work as a Family Service Coordinator. Computers play a critical role in education by helping teachers, administrators, and support staff manage student information, communicate with families, track attendance, and support learning. Technology allows educators to access student records quickly, create lesson plans, conduct assessments, and provide virtual learning opportunities. As a Family Service Coordinator, I use computers to maintain documentation, communicate with families, schedule meetings, and ensure services are coordinated effectively.   Computer literacy is essential for employees in education because nearly every aspect of the job requires technology. Staff members must know how to use email, student information systems, word processing software, databases, and online learning platforms. Without basic computer skills, it would be difficult to complete daily tasks efficiently or provide quality support to st...

  In this activity, I used the ping and traceroute commands to examine how packets travel through a network. The ping command measures connectivity and response times between my computer and a destination, while the traceroute command shows the path packets take through routers to reach that destination. I pinged Google.com , BBC.co.uk , and Yahoo.co.jp . The results showed that all three websites successfully received and returned all packets with 0% packet loss. Google had an average response time of 30 milliseconds, BBC had an average response time of 28 milliseconds, and Yahoo Japan had a much higher average response time of 181 milliseconds. These results demonstrate how geographic distance can affect network performance. Since Yahoo Japan is located much farther away than Google or BBC, the packets took longer to travel and return. The traceroute results provided additional insight into how packets move through networks. The route to Google required approximately 22 hops befo...

Throughout my day, I use several different types of software applications to complete tasks and stay organized. Word processing software helps me create assignments, take notes, and prepare documents for school. Spreadsheet software can be used to organize information, perform calculations, and create charts that visually display data. Presentation software allows users to create slideshows and share information in an organized and engaging way. Database applications help store, manage, and retrieve large amounts of information efficiently. Technology applications serve different purposes depending on the user’s needs. Word processing software, such as Microsoft Word, is designed for creating and editing documents. It is best suited for writing essays, reports, and other text-based assignments. Spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, is primarily used for organizing data, performing calculations, and creating charts. Unlike word processing software, spreadsheets focus on numeric...

  Snapchat is a popular mobile application that allows users to communicate through photos, videos, text messages, and stories. This happens to be one of my personal favorites and most used app. I use Snapchat regularly to stay connected with friends and family because it offers a quick and interactive way to share everyday moments. The app is known for its disappearing messages, creative filters, and social features that make communication more engaging. This review evaluates Snapchat’s usability, design, and functionality while offering recommendations for improvement.   One of Snapchat’s greatest strengths is its usability. The app opens directly to the camera, allowing users to quickly capture and share photos or videos without navigating through multiple menus. Sending snaps and messages is simple, and users can easily view stories from friends or discover content from creators. The app’s layout encourages fast communication, making it convenient for people who prefer vis...

  When I began learning about programming languages, I had very little experience with coding. As part of this assignment, I created a simple animated project using the Scratch programming language. https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1326116783/   My Scratch project included movement, sounds, color changes, and repeated actions using programming blocks. At first, I found Scratch confusing because I was unfamiliar with how the blocks worked together. I was not sure where to place commands or how to organize them properly. However, after experimenting with different blocks and learning how motion and repeat functions worked, the process became much easier. One of the most valuable lessons I learned from this project was that programming requires organization, logic, and problem-solving skills. Even though Scratch uses a drag-and-drop interface, each command must be placed correctly for the program to work as intended. This experience helped me better understand how programmer...